Organisational Control and Employee Outcomes in Mandatory Work from Home: Evidence from Bangladesh During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic initiated the world’s largest remote work experiment, compelling organisations to reassess how they manage employees working from home. This thesis examines two Bangladeshi organisations in manufacturing and telecommunications to analyse control dynamics during mandatory work from home arrangements. Presenting a multi-level model, it demonstrates how control mechanisms, managerial control styles, and employees’ self-management influence job satisfaction, performance, and wellbeing. The study identifies crisis-specific leadership style, gendered visibility practices, and the role of job-related psychological ownership in shaping employee outcomes. These insights provide evidence-based guidance for developing effective, tailored remote and hybrid work models in the post-pandemic context.