62% of Contributors Report Increased Productivity, But 31% of Managers See Declines

The debate around work-from-home productivity continues to divide opinion, particularly in the life sciences sector, where collaboration, compliance, and innovation are key. While 62% of individual contributors report being more productive under remote or hybrid work models, 31% of managers believe productivity has declined, highlighting a disconnect between perception and reality.

The 2024 On Q Salary & Job Market Report sheds light on these contrasting viewpoints, revealing that while many professionals thrive in remote environments, cross-functional collaboration and management oversight remain key concerns. With 56% of employers now mandating or planning to mandate in-office attendance, it’s clear that businesses are still searching for the right balance.

This whitepaper explores:

The productivity divide between employees and managers
The key challenges of WFH in life sciences
Strategies to improve collaboration and maintain high performance in remote and hybrid settings

As life sciences companies continue to refine their workplace strategies, understanding these perspectives is critical to ensuring productivity, engagement, and retention.

The WFH Productivity Divide: What the Data Shows

The 2024 On Q Salary & Job Market Report highlights significant differences in how individual contributors and managers view remote work productivity:

62% of individual contributors (scientists, engineers, analysts, and other non-managerial roles) report being more productive when working remotely or in a hybrid setting.
31% of managers, however, believe that productivity has declined due to reduced cross-team collaboration, oversight challenges, and communication barriers.
56% of companies have mandated or are planning to mandate in-office attendance, citing concerns about team cohesion, mentorship, and knowledge sharing.
24% of businesses have introduced incentives or penalties to encourage employees to return to the office, but adoption remains mixed.

Despite the positive productivity trends reported by employees, management concerns highlight a broader need to refine WFH strategies to ensure businesses maintain performance and innovation while supporting workforce flexibility.

Why the Disconnect? Key Challenges of WFH in Life Sciences

While individual productivity may be improving, cross-functional collaboration and leadership oversight remain challenging in remote work environments.

1. Cross-Team Collaboration & Innovation Gaps

22% of employees report a decline in cross-functional collaboration, impacting projects that require interdisciplinary teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation.
Research & development (R&D) and regulatory teams, in particular, cite difficulties in replicating the spontaneous problem-solving and brainstorming that occurs in-office.

2. Challenges in Mentorship & Career Development

Junior employees and new hires struggle with remote mentorship, leading to slower onboarding and skill development.
64% of managers believe that in-person interactions accelerate professional growth, particularly in technical and leadership roles.

3. Oversight & Visibility for Management

Managers report that tracking team engagement, performance, and well-being is more difficult in a remote setting.
While WFH improves individual focus, it may lead to a lack of real-time collaboration, which can hinder progress on complex, multi-stakeholder projects.

How to Enhance Productivity & Collaboration

Companies that successfully navigate the WFH divide are those that prioritise flexibility while maintaining structured collaboration. Here’s how:

1. Implement Clear WFH Productivity Metrics

Move beyond time-based tracking (it’s unrealistic) – use goal-driven performance measurement to evaluate effectiveness.
Introduce regular check-ins and structured progress reports to keep teams aligned.
Use project-based KPIs to ensure work is moving forward efficiently, rather than focusing on hours worked.

2. Strengthen Remote Collaboration with Technology

Hybrid-friendly project management tools (e.g., Asana, Monday.com, Miro) help streamline workflows and maintain visibility across teams.
Virtual whiteboards and brainstorming sessions can mimic in-office collaboration, encouraging creativity and innovation.
AI-powered meeting transcriptions and action tracking reduce communication gaps and help teams stay aligned.

3. Balance Remote & In-Person Work Strategically

Rather than mandating full-time office attendance, designate in-office days for key collaboration sessions, training, and team-building activities.
Consider a flexible hybrid model where employees have structured team days in the office but maintain remote flexibility for deep work.

4. Prioritise Engagement & Connection

Introduce structured virtual mentorship programs to support professional growth, even in remote settings.
Encourage cross-team networking opportunities, such as virtual coffee chats or industry meetups, to maintain a sense of community.
Gather employee feedback regularly to refine remote work policies based on real-world challenges and successes.

The Future of WFH in Life Sciences: What Comes Next?

As companies fine-tune their remote and hybrid work strategies, the key will be adaptability. The 2024 On Q Salary & Job Market Report suggests that businesses should focus on:

Developing outcome-based performance measurement systems to ensure fair productivity evaluation across all roles.
Refining hybrid work models to maximise in-office collaboration without losing the benefits of remote flexibility.
Investing in leadership training for remote management to help managers build trust, improve communication, and drive engagement in a virtual environment.

The companies that balance structure with flexibility will retain high performing professionals, maintain high productivity, and drive innovation in our space.

About On Q Recruitment

On Q Recruitment is a leading specialist in life sciences recruitment, connecting high-value candidates with the most innovative organisations in Australia. With a deep understanding of industry trends and challenges, we empower businesses and professionals to thrive in this competitive sector.

For more insights and tailored recruitment solutions, visit On Q Recruitment.