I always raise an eyebrow when people generally claim remote “just does not work.” This seems to imply they’ve only tried one or two ways to set up a remote workforce because there simply hasn’t been enough time to honestly try several permutations.
I agree that some jobs cannot do it (those where physically it can’t be done, like manufacturing or lab work). But with such a service-based economy, the number of jobs that can be remote is only increasing.
I think it’s ultimately more a reflection of an unwillingness or inability to fundamentally restructure the way teams complete work and collaborate. It assumes the way offices work is objectively correct and must be maintained.
The managing challenges of remote work are just different than in-office; they are not more numerous. In-office environments are littered with ineffective, overbearing, and/or intrusive management styles. Management is always squawking that their workers need to be agile and adapt, but they are rarely willing to do the same.
I'm all for coming into the office, but I'm no longer commuting on my own dime. You want me in the office, for some messed up reason, my commute is on the clock.
Yeah, she caught a ton of flak for it online, and then gave a total non-apology that basically boiled down to an officespeak version of “sorry you’re so sensitive”
That's OK, I didn't have any desire to work for that asshole anyway...
Most folks are exponentially more productive when they don't have to waste hours of their day (stressfully) driving/public transit from A to B just to do their job.
I am way more productive when I'm not also being constantly interrupted by the people around me all day long. When I sit down to work at home I will go hours without even looking up from my screen. When my attention is interrupted in the office, which happens regularly, it takes me a good 5-7min to focus again. Repeat that same process a couple times an hour and not a lot gets done.
I can’t believe how much time I waste in the office. It’s unbelievable. I will say that certain meetings in the office are better. However, maybe a day or so for those but for the most part. It’s such a waste.
These tools are living in the past. Sure there will always be some employees that abuse it, but mostly it has become a success. Can even help lower CO2 emissions since it removes a lot of daily commuters.
Yeah, but think of all the Arby’s and McDonald’s restaurants that are no longer getting any business from on-site employees!!1 Will someone please think of the poor Arby’s?!
There will always be some jobs that require on site workers. But many already don’t and employers force them to make a commute because they think this way.
Meanwhile, back in reality, my company isn't upside down on commercial real estate & likes making more money so we are getting a smaller office to house our servers & equipment.
My company did the same. We had a six week assessment period where everyone was required to come in two days per week. Once that data showed no major difference in output, we got a smaller office (for receiving and such) and everyone was told the office is optional. Smart business that kept people happy.
Mine was a bit hesitant but they are now talking seriously about getting rid of more offices and they had done one pass on that before. I would sorta like them to have an office subscription
Find me a company deeply invested in office real estate (in particular, expecting a return on that real estate), and I’ll show you a company against remote work.
The real detriments don’t exist. True, I have met workers that don’t like remote work: companies have latched on to those people as an excuse to continue what is otherwise an entirely transparent narrative.
If anything I gain productivity by working from home. I see companies that don’t support that kind of work as entirely being behind the curve.
“We’re not going to make that decision because we’re pandering to employees”
Is there such a thing as “pandering to employees”? The employees are doing the real work to keep the company going, while Dimon’s work apparently includes appearing on news stations ridiculing said employees.
Hopefully the next headline we hear about J.P. Morgan will be a mass voluntary attrition.
Chase has been mailing me literally the same letter for the past 12 years. I think they send it once or twice a month. It is a cardboard paper with a huge “500” on it, begging me to open an account with. Mind you, it goes directly in the trash. They waste so much paper.
This is the ONLY thing they listen to. If you want to work from home and your employer doesn’t let you, it’s time to quit.
I have nothing bad to say about people who prefer going in to the office. I respect your preference and I understand it is necessary for some positions. You are valuable, too, and there’s plenty of places that would love to have you.
There’s room in this work world for both types of jobs. It’s not an either-or choice.
Anyone who can WFH and wants to WFH should be allowed to do so, full stop.
I just want to interject that more people could probably be successful small business owners if they wanted to, instead of just getting another job. Small business also usually benefit humans more than corporations.
We need universal healthcare. That is the stopping point for many. People done see how they can guarantee healthcare if they start a business. I really think a huge part of the lobbying against universal healthcare is large businesses knowing it prevents competition.
It is expensive, and in a lean month for a new business, you might not afford it. Many, especially people with kids or chronic illness can’t take that risk.
Also, that doesn’t speak to hiring employees. Larger companies offering health insurance puts small businesses at a huge competitive disadvantage.
Go ahead and queue up the shocked Pikachu face when they do. Average is something like 30% of people being told to return to office will instead resign, across all industries.
