This thesis project focuses on the effects of technology issues in the remote work environment and analyzes them using Bolman and Deal’s four frames for organizational leadership (2017). Real life examples of problems and solutions from the North America Laundry & Home Care Finance department at Henkel are utilized. An introduction to the scope of remote work in 2020 and 2021 is presented, followed by a description of Henkel’s role, size, and structure. Technology issues that occur while working remotely are described and looked at through different employee perspectives and leadership frames. Solutions currently in use and potential solutions to reduce any negative effects of these problems are also given.

COVID-19 brought so much uncertainty into the world and has molded this project into what it is today. The first project journey that was chosen was meant to show the impact of how much plastic waste was being produced at Starbucks. Then due to COVID-19 yet again, it changed into how much paper waste there was within the State of Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) Business and Professions Division (BPD). DOL BPD is a state agency division that licenses over forty plus professional and business licenses to the residents of Washington state. Due to the pandemic, the project transformed into how the three pillars of sustainability impacts remote work within BPD. BPD is in this new and unique paradigm where the deliverable that was brought forth as this project completed are, “The 9 Benefits of Sustainability through Remote Work” (Appendix D) where this specifically showed DOL why remote work is sustainable and how it should be implemented even further throughout the agency. This list was put together with the benefits that best fit DOL BPD.