Creating a Thriving Remote Work Culture in Post-Secondary Education for Frontline Employees

Most colleges and universities were forced to replace their traditional campus operation structures with remote work-from-home environments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the systems in place to support remote work cultures were limited. The lack of remote work culture systems has caused anxiety, confusion, and attrition at many post-secondary institutions. The transition from on-campus operations to working from home has created fear and uncertainty among frontline staff. This study explores, from the perspective of the frontline staff, how post-secondary education leaders can foster a thriving remote workplace. A second goal of this study is to create a model that can be shared with post-secondary institutions to help them sustain, encourage, and embrace a thriving work-from-home culture. Finally, by understanding how frontline employees feel when transitioning from ground-based operations to an entirely online model, this qualitative study has attempted to provide greater insight into frontline staff's experiences during the transition. In the course of the study, the researcher has compared the positive and negative aspects associated with the transition from in-person to remote working. Identifying how remote work affects employee morale and productivity is essential to better understanding these components. Finally, the research focuses on developing coping strategies for remote work, maintaining working relationships with colleagues, implementing technology to create a cohesive remote working environment, and promoting teamwork. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]