RTO Rant

[Anonymous]

I’ve been at two companies since 2020 and RTO has caused major problems at both. Destroyed morale and been a catalyst for change causing workers to start interviewing and leave.

There has definitely been a change in culture at both places because of it. It’s difficult to put a finger on it but it’s like there is a complete lack of respect for the company due to the unnecessary RTO. People no longer care and make it more obvious all they care about is their paycheck. People openly discuss interviewing and how long they plan to stay at the company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That happened at my spouse's job. We think they did it on purpose to get the numbers down.

This is, in fact, a deliberate strategy. It's a good way to encourage the loafers to go on their way.

Except the people who can find other jobs and therefore leave are the high performers.

this x 1000000

Really? Our higher performers (who happen to be in their mid-50s) are not getting any bites on resumes they've submitted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been at two companies since 2020 and RTO has caused major problems at both. Destroyed morale and been a catalyst for change causing workers to start interviewing and leave.

There has definitely been a change in culture at both places because of it. It’s difficult to put a finger on it but it’s like there is a complete lack of respect for the company due to the unnecessary RTO. People no longer care and make it more obvious all they care about is their paycheck. People openly discuss interviewing and how long they plan to stay at the company.

It’s so unnecessary. It seems so ridiculous and antiquated to make people RTO when they don’t need to, and waste money on office space. It’s not the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That happened at my spouse's job. We think they did it on purpose to get the numbers down.

This is, in fact, a deliberate strategy. It's a good way to encourage the loafers to go on their way.

Except the people who can find other jobs and therefore leave are the high performers.

this x 1000000

Really? Our higher performers (who happen to be in their mid-50s) are not getting any bites on resumes they've submitted.

For many jobs you don’t get job offers from submitting applications online. It’s from relationships and referrals.

[Anonymous]

The economy is turning south and it’s now an employer’s market. Companies are starting to do mass layoffs again. Four of my friends’ companies have restricted the amount of flexibility with telework (they were already hybrid with “flexible” summers, and in July their companies cracked down on that flexibility), and we notice more 4:30 pm “bed check” emails/messages/calls.

This isn’t about RTO. It’s an easy way to cull the herd without paying out severance or risking lawsuits, or discomfort for leadership.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been at two companies since 2020 and RTO has caused major problems at both. Destroyed morale and been a catalyst for change causing workers to start interviewing and leave.

There has definitely been a change in culture at both places because of it. It’s difficult to put a finger on it but it’s like there is a complete lack of respect for the company due to the unnecessary RTO. People no longer care and make it more obvious all they care about is their paycheck. People openly discuss interviewing and how long they plan to stay at the company.

It’s so unnecessary. It seems so ridiculous and antiquated to make people RTO when they don’t need to, and waste money on office space. It’s not the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The economy is turning south and it’s now an employer’s market. Companies are starting to do mass layoffs again. Four of my friends’ companies have restricted the amount of flexibility with telework (they were already hybrid with “flexible” summers, and in July their companies cracked down on that flexibility), and we notice more 4:30 pm “bed check” emails/messages/calls.

This isn’t about RTO. It’s an easy way to cull the herd without paying out severance or risking lawsuits, or discomfort for leadership.

a. this is not true.
b. I work in an industry that changes leadership frequently. And the new leaders come in and need to meet their scorecard criteria quickly. It's the nature of the industry which has to be highly innovative. They would never blindly "cull" according to who can come in the office. That would be idiotic. They are very strategic in their culling like everything else.

But like someone said upthread, there seem to be companies that can/are ok with being mediocre. So there's that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That happened at my spouse's job. We think they did it on purpose to get the numbers down.

This is, in fact, a deliberate strategy. It's a good way to encourage the loafers to go on their way.

Except the people who can find other jobs and therefore leave are the high performers.

this x 1000000

Really? Our higher performers (who happen to be in their mid-50s) are not getting any bites on resumes they've submitted.

For many jobs you don’t get job offers from submitting applications online. It’s from relationships and referrals.

This has become painfully clear now.

[Anonymous]

I am never returning to an in-person office under any circumstances. I don’t blame anyone forced to do it for quitting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That happened at my spouse's job. We think they did it on purpose to get the numbers down.

That's what I would assume. I would look for another job OP.

NP: so if all these people resign, who is going to do the work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That happened at my spouse's job. We think they did it on purpose to get the numbers down.

That's what I would assume. I would look for another job OP.

NP: so if all these people resign, who is going to do the work?

I think it takes a while for RTO to take its toll and the most senior leadership who pushes RTO doesn’t really care. It mostly affects middle managers who own the work products. From what I’ve seen, we are just expected to do more work and lower quality work. I think the big problem will be a decade from now when there aren’t solid candidates for senior roles.

[Anonymous]

I’m like the only person excited to go back to the office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m like the only person excited to go back to the office.

No, I’m with you. I recently took a job that requires 3-5 days a week in person and am so much happier being around other humans again. It’s taken me very little time to get to know my coworkers and office culture because we grab lunch or chat before or after meetings. Full time wfh did a number on my mental health, very isolating and depressing in my case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m like the only person excited to go back to the office.

For all the hate on GenZ, they love to go to the office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m like the only person excited to go back to the office.

For all the hate on GenZ, they love to go to the office.

I’m a 48 year old Gen X woman and I love going into the office. It’s mostly us Gen Xers with some Zers, I’m starting to like the younger folk.