As a result of a worldwide pandemic in March 2020, the people of the United States of America experienced a shock as many workers were literally moved overnight from working at desks in corporate offices, to performing virtual work at home. For some these were shared offices, many times makeshift, while also being utilized to home-school children. The COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses, large and small, to either close, or allow their workforce to work from their homes, with the intent to slow the spread of COVID-19 through social distancing. While some employees were already working virtually, or utilizing a hybrid working model, other employees were forced to work virtually for the first time. When major changes occur in the working environment, managers are expected to oversee the transitions and support workers as necessary (Sirkin, Kennan & Jackson, 2005).

This is a pilot study. The purpose of this paper is to explore how workers experienced their supervisor’s management of them in a virtual working environment during the mandatory social distancing resulting from COVID-19. It further expounds on the potential to continue working virtually as offered by the participants of the study.