Bodies of Proof: COVID-19 and Unwitnessed Remote Work

ABSTRACT

Using a case study of four professionals who suddenly worked from home during COVID-19, this article discusses participants’ experiences of proving work when their bodies were not physically near coworkers (“proof”). I explain proof’s features; participants’ concerns and responses to it; its consequences for workers; and its potential devaluation of nonproductive, unwitnessed processes. I suggest technical and professional communicators are in a kairotic moment for negotiating the value of nonproductive time and unwitnessed work.

KEYWORDS:

• Remote work
• writing process
• invisible work
• embodiment
• bodies

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

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Chalice Randazzo

Chalice Randazzo researches the intersection of practical and critical-cultural technical and professional communication, especially missing work and silence. She is an Associate Professor at Dixie State University.