Why Remote Working Makes it Difficult to Bring Your Whole Self to Work

We’re always trying to make a good impression at work, even when working remotely.

Find out why bringing your whole self to work has become a problem in the workplace because of the increase in remote working

Here are some key messages from this episode

• Impression management and how we present ourselves in the workplace
• The negative impact of being part of a stigmatised group on a person’s social identity
• How people from stigmatised groups manage their identity

Play the episode for more.

Here are some key takeaways from this episode

'Normal' at work has changed forever and new stigmas are emerging

“It’s April 2020 and many people are coming to terms with the reality that they can’t meet in person for work So we make video calls. These calls are being made from your home (because that’s where you’re supposed to be)”

Bringing your whole self to work is easier when it's in  line with mainstream norms

“Can you see how her points about me reflect her own commitment to impression management to an academic audience, I’m not behaving in the way that academics deem appropriate and it was so obvious to her she was forced to point it out”

Stigmatised groups are creating new strategies for managing their identity remotely

“I’m already seeing people adding backgrounds to their video calls as a form of impression management. I was on a call last week to the US and the person I spoke to had a background from the office in a famous TV show!”

Here are some resources so you can go deeper

 The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life

Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity

PhD Thesis

Check out these related episodes of the show

3 Reasons Why “Bring Your Whole Self” Is Such Bad Advice For Diversity

Whenever you're ready, there are a few ways I can support your Inclusion Journey: