Posted on 06/07/2022 6:22:42 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
To Jonathan Pruiett, it just didn't make sense.
A geospatial analyst who updates Google maps for a living, Pruiett had been called back to his company's offices in Bothell, Washington, five days a week, starting June 6.
Like many on his team, Pruiett had only worked remotely, having started the job in the pandemic. He'd adapted well to it, finding efficiencies such as multitasking during virtual meetings, using the time to process data.
And yet, now he was being told to report to office. Anyone who failed to report within three days of the return date would be processed as having abandoned their job.
"Nothing will change other than having a couple snacks in our office and having an in-person meeting," Pruiett said. "We're kind of starting to think that this job isn't worth it."
Source of tension between workers and bosses
More than two years into a pandemic that has no clear end, the debate over remote work has only intensified. Working from home isn't possible in many jobs. But for those who have the option, it's now evident that it is feasible, even beneficial.
But how beneficial is a point of contention between workers and their bosses. Some bosses are deciding too much is lost when people aren't in the office and it's time to come back.
Tesla boss Elon Musk is one of them. He recently emailed his employees with the subject line "Remote work is no longer acceptable." He reasoned that Tesla creates and makes "the most exciting and meaningful products of any company on Earth. This will not happen by phoning it in."
Musk told them anyone wishing to do remote work "must be in the office for a minimum (and I mean *minimum*) of 40 hours per week."
(Excerpt) Read more at npr.org ...
I do not mind working in an office. There are plenty of positives. For me though, losing two hours a day again just to commute is tough to accept anymore.
The only people in favor of being back in a building are those mgrs who are control freaks and the chamber of commerce who are worried about the lack of revenue from spending by office workers.
Time for the spoiled kids to go back to work like the rest of us.
I sell cars, parts and run a tow truck.
I never phoned it in.
Never missed a day of work through this plandemic either. Came close once but still hauled my sorry butt to the shop and worked alone.
Not white collars who work in manufacturing.
Kinda hard to do an install from home.
I did the office 40-hour work week for most of my life but did the work-from-home bit for a few months. While working from home had some nice perks, I would rather be in the office. There, at least, I have access to managers and co-workers whenever needed. Working remotely, it is easy to be ignored or not included when important information is distributed.
Can’t understand the paranoia from some folks. COVID is over, dude. Of course, I’d had employment offices tell me they couldn’t find qualified applicants who could pass the drug test so maybe a lot of folks fear their bloodshot eyes and slurred speech might give them away.
The toothpaste is not going back in the tube. My job has never been remote. But now the people I work with are all quitting for remote jobs. Our workforce is getting younger fast, because when they hit a couple of years experience it gets a lot easier to get a remote work job. And the older guys are all retiring in mass because of the woke stupidity.
As much as I admire Musk’s accomplishments, he runs a sweatshop. His businesses are the last place I would recommend anyone work.
Employees don’t need to be in a union to take union action.
I have 9 direct reports. Our office is in San Francisco. We were all given the option to remain 100% remote (and clean out our desks) or come in once or twice a week and not clean out our desks. Four of my 9 opted to return, so I did too. Of the other five, three are retiring this year and one is in Seattle.
Bottom line: there is value in some balance.
Don’t know if this applies but should gov’t work in office? ...or continue to stay home (acc to Laura Ingraham) and work
Working in the office is not just white collar. A lot of engineers have to use qualified equipment...we can’t do tensile or burst pressure testing in our kitchens. There is qualified equipment.
Same for medical personnel, I spoke with a nurse about this. She can’t give people a shot from her home office.
I understand the expense of operating and leasing an office building. I understand working from home. It’s just not for a lot of people.
At first, when I started teleworking due to the COVID emergency, it started driving me up the wall, along with not seeing anybody due to the restrictions. But now, I like commuting from the bedroom or kitchen to the home office.
However, I moved to Florida thanks to the political situation in the DC area, but they want me back in the building in Silver Spring, Maryland, so I’m looking for another job. This one’s over at the end of July after I help train my replacement. I don’t think it’s logical to go back to the office in my line of work, since I’ve performed the job over a distance of at least 900 miles without a hitch, but that’s what they want, so I accept it.
Not every job is feasible remote. Mine is, and I would consider it unreasonable to be required to be in an office, at the cost of gas, time, wear and tear on my vehicle, when it’s entirely unnecessary.
Sorry, I just don’t fetishize getting bent over by my employer.
I’m not spoiled. I did fine with telework, but I’m looking for another job, since I don’t want to move back to the People’s Republic of Maryland just to go back to the office, so I will find another job.
Things may be rough for awhile, but I’m NOT going back to the DC area. It’s physically dangerous*, as far as I’m concerned.
*Not because of COVID, but because of the potentially explosive political situation, thanks to Joe ESG Biden, Jr. and the weak-ass GOPee.
They’re pissed because now they have to burn their paycheck commuting to work.
They don’t want to work,
they just want to bang on the drum all day.
I think it is good for cohesion and mental health for employees to show on a weekly basis.
As far as someone in Seattle exceptions can be made but I would arrange a face to face at least once a month.
I got accustomed to telework, and I did fine with it. But I’m not moving back to the politically sick DC area or Maryland just to go back to the office. So I will find another job, either remote or on-site in or near the Pensacola area. Heck, I will commute to Mobile, Alabama, if that’s what it takes.
Some jobs effectively require you to be on-site. Others, it’s unnecessary, as far as I’m concerned.
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