Office workers adopted remote work on a massive scale during the pandemic, and many of them only want to return to the office on a limited basis. This was a major issue in the spring 2023 strike by the Public Service Alliance of Canada. In the union’s new contract, remote work requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. This makes an amount of sense, according to Desautels Prof. Jean-Nicolas Reyt. "Some jobs do require you to be on-site, but at the end of the day, it has to be case-by-case," Reyt told CBC News.
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Published on: 11 May 2023
The results are in, and the four-day work week isn’t only good for workers – companies like it too. In a six-month UK study, 61 employers trialed a 4-day work week that asked employees to perform the same work in less time, and at the end of the trial period, 92% of participating employers chose to make the shorter week permanent. “This is in line with previous study we’ve seen before,” said Prof. Jean-Nicolas Reyt to CBC Radio’s Cross-Country Checkup with Ian Hanomansing.
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Published on: 7 Mar 2023
Remote work promised office workers more freedom and flexibility, but digital surveillance tools are already eroding that. Some employers use digital surveillance tools that monitor employees’ computer activity by logging the keystrokes on their keyboard, and even taking web cam photos to ensure that they are dutifully staring at their screens. But this is short-sighted, says Desautels Prof Jean-Nicolas Reyt, as it may cause office relationships to take an unhealthy turn.
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Published on: 2 Nov 2022
About a year ago, Poche et Fils conducted a trial of the four-day work week that has since become permanent. Employees at the Montreal-based clothing companies receive the same pay as when they were working five days a week, and the company has sought to maintain the same productivity too. The first step was identifying tasks that were time-consuming and useless -- and eliminating them. But there are other ways that a shorter work week can save time too. A new generation of workers is negotiating not on salary, but on hours, said Desautels Prof.
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Published on: 6 Oct 2022
It is no secret that inflation has sent costs soaring, but wages are going up too. In a recent survey of US small businesses, more than two-thirds said they had increased the wages of their employees. Companies that don’t match inflation are essentially asking their staff to take a pay cut, says Prof. Jean-Nicolas Reyt in an interview with BBC Worklife. That will make employees unhappy, and the best ones could choose to move on to companies where better wages make them feel more appreciated.
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Published on: 11 Aug 2022
Across programs and subject areas, the Desautels Faculty of Management recognizes the vital role that teaching plays in enriching the student experience and in inspiring the next generation of leaders.
The Distinguished Teaching Award recipients Sujata Madan and Juan Serpa were honoured at McGill’s 2022 Management Convocation ceremony on June 1, for their excellence in teaching.
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Published on: 10 Jun 2022
While Ontario’s right to disconnect law sounds like a good idea, experts say it’s important to observe the impact of the practice on the well-being of employees and its practical application in the workplace before considering a pan-Canada approach. (Global News)
Here is an expert from McGill University that can provide comment on this issue:
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Published on: 6 Jun 2022
If a company doesn’t want to share salary information, there could be a reason for that. About 75 per cent of people don’t negotiate a higher salary for themselves, and women and minorities are underrepresented among those who do not, according to Prof. Jean-Nicolas Reyt. But Montreal-based telecommunications company Oxio is taking steps toward salary transparency.
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Published on: 18 May 2022
A long wait in a crowded environment can feel like a special kind of purgatory for those waiting their turn, yet front-line workers often bear the brunt of the public’s frustrations. Nurses, restaurant staff, call centre agents and other staff who deal directly with the public in high-stress environments are often mistreated. Known as “outsider mistreatment,” this can range from incivility to full-on abuse, increasing the risk of depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and other challenges.
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Published on: 21 Feb 2022
According to Professor Jean-Nicolas Reyt, making the switch to a four-day work week will require significant shifts in social and economic rhythms at a personal and professional level. Fortunately, the change could naturally carve out more time for leisure by boosting productivity during more limited work hours.
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Published on: 22 Nov 2021
Launching the second season of Delve’s The "New Normal" podcast series, Professor Jean-Nicolas Reyt discusses why businesses should embrace a hybrid work method, why the future of workspaces needs to change from the status quo, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has forced management to change in order to adapt to a new reality – plus the one thing companies can do for remote workers to make sure they’ve got their backs.
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Published on: 11 Oct 2021
Although remote employees have more flexibility to establish a work/life balance that suits their needs, there are several downsides to the arrangement, says Professor Jean-Nicolas Reyt. Remote workers often report feeling isolated from the team, and they may feel pressure to work longer hours, leading to burnout.
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Published on: 8 Sep 2021
More Quebec workplaces are making the transition to a four-day work week in an effort to boost the productivity and wellbeing of their employees, particularly young professionals who place a higher priority on work-life balance. From Professor Jean-Nicolas Reyt’s perspective, employees work more efficiently during shorter weeks because they’re more rested and focused.
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Published on: 22 Jul 2021
Jean-Nicolas Reyt, an Assistant Professor of Organizational Behaviour at the Desautels Faculty of Management, has studied the dynamics of work-from-home culture for a decade. Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has provided a live laboratory to test his theories. On this episode of Policy Options podcast, Reyt shares the results of a year-long project to track how North American CEOs perceive working from home.
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Published on: 22 Apr 2021
The Management Undergraduate Society (MUS) has awarded the 2020-2021 Professor of the Year Award to Professor Jean-Nicolas Reyt. This annual award recognizes a professor's meaningful involvement with the student body, eagerness to have an impact on students lives outside the classroom, and great insight on theoretical and academic matters. It is the highest honour given by the undergraduate student body at the Desautels Faculty of Management.
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Published on: 1 Apr 2021
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