WaPo opinion piece from a CEO who wants people back in the office

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The best response I saw to this was that if your employees are spending 20 percent of their time on activities that "promote office culture," you should just institute a four-day workweek and you'd have the highest employee retention and satisfaction levels.

Amazing comment, standing ovation.

My thought when I read that 20% state was "Those extras are mostly done by the women in my office and that's exactly why so many women like telework. We can just do our jobs and not have to be the office mom, also."

Yes! That's exactly right. I also think this is a big reason that you see such a generational difference in demand for work from home. Older workers are often very happy with this arrangement (including the women) because it's what they know. But younger workers, and especially younger women, see what's happening and want no part in it. A lot of workplace dynamics are messed up, but older workers can't see it because they are just used to it. Younger people see it and want no part.

Please, let's not start with the ageism -- it's such a tired and unimaginative way of looking at the world. I'm 60 and have been teleworking for 20 years since my youngest child was born. I really had to fight for this, but it's been worth it. I don't have to do the bullshit parties, I don't have to waste time and energy commuting, and I don't have to waste money and time on accumulating an office wardrobe. I'm cheering on these Washingtonian staffers -- of all ages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My issue is I had some coworkers and staff very smart at certain things. SQL queries, PowerPoint, slack, service now, etc etc. We are all not good at everything.

Those few Rock stars really helped multiple people during the day.

Now home their “own” work gets done quicker and “they” are more productive

But 2-3 other people are way less productive. I literally struggled 16 hours on an IT issue my coworker could have got done in five minutes.

Oh my God. Why didn't you call your coworker? Screen share? Basic problem solving?

Yep, this. I started a new job remotely during the pandemic and I still figured out how to build a network of people (also, my manager helped me!) that has other skill sets and can help me with things if I need it, and I do the same for others. This is really not that hard!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look all of you super workers from home. Sure, you are doing it great and it might be sustainable for you.
But, it is unlikely sustainable for the majority and even if it was, people in charge want you to go into office.
You have an option, quit or show up at work in person. At the office.
Your whining here shows that you are not a team player and hence you might be let go. Life is hard and not catered to what you want.
Unfortuanly many of this younger generation didn't get the memo about, suck it up!
All this whining here proves it.
You still think if you whine enough, mom/boss will let you have 1K prom dress.
Well, think again.
Your mom and your boss might be sick of your whining and trying to get your way.
Even if you are that productive from home!

Did your wife get a job yet? How many comments and likes are you getting on your LinkedIn? We didn’t know you hate people working from home so much! How many times have you posted on this thread “discussing” WAH with yourself? Epic sock puppeting dude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look all of you super workers from home. Sure, you are doing it great and it might be sustainable for you.
But, it is unlikely sustainable for the majority and even if it was, people in charge want you to go into office.
You have an option, quit or show up at work in person. At the office.
Your whining here shows that you are not a team player and hence you might be let go. Life is hard and not catered to what you want.
Unfortuanly many of this younger generation didn't get the memo about, suck it up!
All this whining here proves it.
You still think if you whine enough, mom/boss will let you have 1K prom dress.
Well, think again.
Your mom and your boss might be sick of your whining and trying to get your way.
Even if you are that productive from home!

Why do I get the feeling this was written from the back room of a dry cleaner in Annandale?

I can't even follow it. 1k prom dress? Whining to our moms?

It’s that guy/dinosaur who posted about working with attractive women a few weeks ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The second part of it is a bit disjointed.
However, she is on point saying you can be a contractor if you don't want to come in.
She is essentially right and what companies want is responsible employees.
Why are rental cars all double the price from a year ago? Why are all Airbnbs rented, also for double or triple price now?
The reason people need to be in the office is accountability. That you are working.
Let's be honest, productivity at home is not even close to productivy in office.
She knows it, you know it, we all know it.
Enough BS people. Show up for work or expect to be fired, in not too far of a future.

The magazine has been published in the last year. Hello! Productivity is the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look all of you super workers from home. Sure, you are doing it great and it might be sustainable for you.
But, it is unlikely sustainable for the majority and even if it was, people in charge want you to go into office.
You have an option, quit or show up at work in person. At the office.
Your whining here shows that you are not a team player and hence you might be let go. Life is hard and not catered to what you want.
Unfortuanly many of this younger generation didn't get the memo about, suck it up!
All this whining here proves it.
You still think if you whine enough, mom/boss will let you have 1K prom dress.
Well, think again.
Your mom and your boss might be sick of your whining and trying to get your way.
Even if you are that productive from home!

Why do I get the feeling this was written from the back room of a dry cleaner in Annandale?

Wherever they’re located, they seem to think they’re still typing on a typewriter or word processor at best.

When a millennial has nothing of value to add to present their opposing point of view. Sadly, stupidity is the new norm here.
I can't argue my point so I will attack something of no substance. Nobel prize awaits you, my cupcake!

Your posts are too difficult to read with all of these extemporaneous line breaks. You can’t communicate clearly in writing, in regards to both style a s substance. Also I’m a Gen Xer.

Oh dear! A Gen X! How great for you. I am also not impressed by your criticism. It is plebian and unsmart. To say it in my broken writing.
Your criticism has all the characteristic of Grammarly user!

Did you get your teen the 1k prom dress or not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just can’t get over the fact that a CEO threatens to switch people to contractor status without realizing there’s a legal definition for that, and it’s not something the boss gets to decide on a whim.

+1 what a disaster

You realize she didn't get this position for her smarts? Its nepotism. The CEO inherited the company from her father. Which means they can't fire her and won't even try. What she says - goes. Regardless of what her underpaid roster of employees want.

Then why is she scrambling to walk this fiasco back?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My issue is I had some coworkers and staff very smart at certain things. SQL queries, PowerPoint, slack, service now, etc etc. We are all not good at everything.

Those few Rock stars really helped multiple people during the day.

Now home their “own” work gets done quicker and “they” are more productive

But 2-3 other people are way less productive. I literally struggled 16 hours on an IT issue my coworker could have got done in five minutes.

This sounds like a you problem. Why didn’t you chat your colleague, google the problem for a solution, or create an IT ticket? You don’t sound very resourceful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just can’t get over the fact that a CEO threatens to switch people to contractor status without realizing there’s a legal definition for that, and it’s not something the boss gets to decide on a whim.

+1 what a disaster

You realize she didn't get this position for her smarts? Its nepotism. The CEO inherited the company from her father. Which means they can't fire her and won't even try. What she says - goes. Regardless of what her underpaid roster of employees want.

Then why is she scrambling to walk this fiasco back?

You mean her saying 'Backsies'? That has no legal standing. Once the news moves on in a week, two weeks, three months, half a year she'll be fine to do whatever she wants. There is no change in the company's leadership or the contracts that say what she can/can't do.

[Anonymous]

The cringe won’t go away though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My issue is I had some coworkers and staff very smart at certain things. SQL queries, PowerPoint, slack, service now, etc etc. We are all not good at everything.

Those few Rock stars really helped multiple people during the day.

Now home their “own” work gets done quicker and “they” are more productive

But 2-3 other people are way less productive. I literally struggled 16 hours on an IT issue my coworker could have got done in five minutes.

It's true that no one is good at everything. Do the 2 -3 other people bring anything to the table? Or are they just dragging down the "rock stars"?

If the top producers prefer to telework because it frees them from the distraction of carrying water for the less productive members, that should rightly drive your organization to telework. Otherwise you have a culture and retention problem no matter where people work. Those people are not being paid to do tech support, they have their own jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My issue is I had some coworkers and staff very smart at certain things. SQL queries, PowerPoint, slack, service now, etc etc. We are all not good at everything.

Those few Rock stars really helped multiple people during the day.

Now home their “own” work gets done quicker and “they” are more productive

But 2-3 other people are way less productive. I literally struggled 16 hours on an IT issue my coworker could have got done in five minutes.

It's true that no one is good at everything. Do the 2 -3 other people bring anything to the table? Or are they just dragging down the "rock stars"?

If the top producers prefer to telework because it frees them from the distraction of carrying water for the less productive members, that should rightly drive your organization to telework. Otherwise you have a culture and retention problem no matter where people work. Those people are not being paid to do tech support, they have their own jobs.

This. A lot of the complaints seem to revolve around people not being available for all the unpaid nonsense labor that companies used to get for free. You want mentorship? Pay people for it and assign it. You want people to plan your parties? Pay for it. You want people to solve your IT problems? PAY FOR IT. This is really not that hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My issue is I had some coworkers and staff very smart at certain things. SQL queries, PowerPoint, slack, service now, etc etc. We are all not good at everything.

Those few Rock stars really helped multiple people during the day.

Now home their “own” work gets done quicker and “they” are more productive

But 2-3 other people are way less productive. I literally struggled 16 hours on an IT issue my coworker could have got done in five minutes.

It's true that no one is good at everything. Do the 2 -3 other people bring anything to the table? Or are they just dragging down the "rock stars"?

If the top producers prefer to telework because it frees them from the distraction of carrying water for the less productive members, that should rightly drive your organization to telework. Otherwise you have a culture and retention problem no matter where people work. Those people are not being paid to do tech support, they have their own jobs.

It is the IT folks set up stuff like a Jira ticket or slack message that go to a place with a 24-48 hour SLA in stuff. And slack channels are the worse. Confluence and share point are black holes. You literally spend hours the guy at work could have answered in two seconds. That guy finished up work early and since home goofing off. And I am not IT I am paid to problem solve and write reports and presentations. I never asked for jira. Slack, writing own queries. I don’t work in IT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My issue is I had some coworkers and staff very smart at certain things. SQL queries, PowerPoint, slack, service now, etc etc. We are all not good at everything.

Those few Rock stars really helped multiple people during the day.

Now home their “own” work gets done quicker and “they” are more productive

But 2-3 other people are way less productive. I literally struggled 16 hours on an IT issue my coworker could have got done in five minutes.

Oh my God. Why didn't you call your coworker? Screen share? Basic problem solving?

This person is the coworker from hell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My issue is I had some coworkers and staff very smart at certain things. SQL queries, PowerPoint, slack, service now, etc etc. We are all not good at everything.

Those few Rock stars really helped multiple people during the day.

Now home their “own” work gets done quicker and “they” are more productive

But 2-3 other people are way less productive. I literally struggled 16 hours on an IT issue my coworker could have got done in five minutes.

It's true that no one is good at everything. Do the 2 -3 other people bring anything to the table? Or are they just dragging down the "rock stars"?

If the top producers prefer to telework because it frees them from the distraction of carrying water for the less productive members, that should rightly drive your organization to telework. Otherwise you have a culture and retention problem no matter where people work. Those people are not being paid to do tech support, they have their own jobs.

You just need a pretty young in-person assistant to do all this for you amirite?
It is the IT folks set up stuff like a Jira ticket or slack message that go to a place with a 24-48 hour SLA in stuff. And slack channels are the worse. Confluence and share point are black holes. You literally spend hours the guy at work could have answered in two seconds. That guy finished up work early and since home goofing off. And I am not IT I am paid to problem solve and write reports and presentations. I never asked for jira. Slack, writing own queries. I don’t work in IT.