Word Wiz: Green Status Effect

We've been conditioned to know that the color green means "go." At work, it also means you're active and available. Research from Owl Labs's State of Hybrid Work 2023 states that, although workers believe the flexibility of remote work improves their work habits, enabling them to feel more productive, balanced, and loyal to their organizations, pressure to prove their productivity and dedication exists.

In an article revealing new survey results, "The New Surveillance Era: Visibility Beats Productivity for RTO & Remote," BambooHR writes that 64 percent of 1,504 full-time employees admit they maintain a green, active status to imply they're online—even if they are not actively working. It's a phenomenon the HR SaaS company calls the Green Status Effect.

In-person workers are not immune. Thirty-seven percent of respondents said they actively socialize and move around the office to be visible to colleagues and supervisors, prioritizing optics over true productivity.