A new study published in Organization Science by researchers from the University of Michigan, Stanford University, and the University of Toronto finds that the long-standing “second-class citizen” stigma attached to remote workers can weaken when organizations adopt inclusive technology practices.
Michigan Ross professor, Sanger Research Lab member, and Sanger Faculty Advisory Board member Justin Berg coauthored the study, which highlights that distributed teams thrive when leaders intentionally design communication and connection norms that prioritize fairness and visibility. Practices such as asynchronous communication, virtual socializing, and equal-access meeting structures help remote employees stay connected, informed, and valued.
“It’s not about forcing everyone back or keeping everyone home,” Berg said. “The real challenge is ensuring that access, visibility, and opportunity don’t depend on where someone sits.”