Workplace fear of missing out in the context of working remotely versus in the office – A multimethod perspective from three studies

In recent years, remote work has gained significant traction. While this shift enhances employee flexibility and work-life balance, it also introduces challenges, particularly regarding social connectedness and information exchange. Due to these challenges, it may be harder when working remotely to fulfil central work-related needs, as described by self-determination theory (SDT), resulting in workplace fear of missing out (wFoMO) – the anxiety of not being up-to-date stemming from physical disconnection from the office. This article addresses the underexplored relationship between remote work and wFoMO. We present three studies employing a multimethodological approach: Study 1 offers cross-sectional insights into the relationship between remote work and wFoMO; Study 2 and Study 3 are experimental, and their results indicate that wFoMO is heightened when individuals' needs, specifically those associated with relatedness, competence, and autonomy, are unmet in a remote work environment. Additionally, Study 3 reveals that when the need for autonomy is unmet, this leads to lower employee well-being via wFoMO. Collectively, these studies illuminate the complexities of remote work, specifically conditions under which remote work may be challenging for employees. Furthermore, these studies emphasize implications of remote work for wFoMO, and consequently, employee well-being.