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Missing voices: Office space discontent as a driving force in employee hybrid work preferences

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  • Lila Skountridaki
  • W. Victoria Lee
  • Lilinaz Rouhani

Abstract

This paper draws on rich qualitative and survey data to show that employee discontent with office space is a major driving force in employee hybrid‐work preferences. Despite voice marginalisation, employees wish to take advantage of increased control over their physical working conditions and the locus of work that hybrid work has unexpectedly brought in their working lives. Taking cues from the literature on employee voice, this paper suggests that employee missing or silenced voices can be conceptualised as latent: hidden but potentially influential and inactive but potentially triggered by shifts in the labour market conditions or other external to organisations changes. The paper also brings attention to empirical academic studies as an employee voice mechanism.

Suggested Citation

  • Lila Skountridaki & W. Victoria Lee & Lilinaz Rouhani, 2024. "Missing voices: Office space discontent as a driving force in employee hybrid work preferences," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(1), pages 54-77, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:indrel:v:55:y:2024:i:1:p:54-77
    DOI: 10.1111/irj.12415
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Bell, Myrtle P. & Özbilgin, Mustafa F. & Beauregard, T. Alexandra & Sürgevil, Olca, 2011. "Voice, silence, and diversity in 21st century organizations: strategies for inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender employees," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 32094, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
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