Department or Program
Economics
Abstract
This study investigates the effect of work mode (i.e., remote or in-person) on employers' perceptions of employee performance. While previous research has examined workplace productivity and collaboration across work modes, this study specifically focuses on potential biases in employer evaluation of work quality while controlling for the quality of work. Using a multi-stage experimental design and combining a real effort task and a structured evaluation framework, we recruited students from Bates College (N=34), participants from Connect (N=40), and commercial real estate industry professionals (N=4). Stage 1 was a pilot study, followed by Stages 2-5, examining how work mode affects performance evaluation by employers and expert raters across remote and in-person conditions. Participants completed a simulated site-selection consulting task. Performance was assessed using standardized metrics including idea quantity, variability, consistency, specificity, feasibility, and novelty, with additional industry-specific measures of market demand and business value. We hypothesize that employers would perceive work quality as higher when performed in person, even when controlling for the actual work quality. The results confirmed our hypothesis, suggesting that employers perceived in-person work to be better than remote work, and the in-person advantage was less pronounced when the work quality was high. This research contributes to understanding employers’ perceptions and workforce management by identifying evaluation biases and informing evidence-based policy design for flexible work practices. The findings of this study can inform the design of equitable workplace policies in flexible work environments.
Keywords: flexible work practices, performance evaluation, employer perception, behavioral economics, real effort task, workforce management
Level of Access
Restricted: Embargoed [Open Access After Expiration]
First Advisor
Goff, Sandra H.
Date of Graduation
5-2025
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Recommended Citation
Lao, Wenjia, "The New Era of Work: A Study of Employers' Perceptions of Employee Performance in Remote and In-Person Environments" (2025). Honors Theses. 487.
https://scarab.bates.edu/honorstheses/487
Number of Pages
53
Components of Thesis
1 pdf file
