Autonomy is becoming increasingly important for employees as they seek flexibility and control over their work. This desire for autonomy extends beyond the ability to work remotely and includes the freedom to choose when, where and how they work. As organisations shift towards hybrid-remote work structures, effective asynchronous communication is crucial for maintaining business continuity and fulfilling employee demands.

Providing employees with autonomy has numerous benefits beyond convenience. Workers with high levels of autonomy report higher job satisfaction and overall well-being, leading to increased retention rates. Seven out of ten employees would prioritise flexibility and autonomy over a promotion, and 64% of employees would consider quitting if required to come back into the office full-time. Failure to provide the desired flexibility and autonomy may lead to difficulty in retaining top talent in a highly competitive talent market. With talent shortages affecting 77% of companies and posing a significant threat to businesses, it is crucial to focus on creating workplaces that attract and retain top talent

Ignoring the push for autonomous work can result in several risks, including employee burnout due to excessive synchronous meetings, distance bias and exclusion of remote employees, loss of top talent, wasted resources, decreased productivity, and disruptions during times of uncertainty. Failure to address these risks can lower employee engagement and satisfaction, ultimately hurting the organisation's bottom line.

To remain competitive in a talent market that values autonomy and flexibility, companies must prioritise enabling autonomous work wherever possible. This requires a shift in processes and behaviour towards asynchronous communication and a focus on empowering employees to work when, where, and how they work best, ultimately creating a more engaged and productive workforce.