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

[Anonymous]

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?

Because you are that stupid?
You only have one vision of people who might disagree with you? And you are not that smart as your only answer is to "insult" the poster? A sign of a not smart person is to lash out.
You are lashing out bcs you know I am right. That hurts and you don't really have a valid counterargument so you resort to alleged insults.
A person working at a dry cleaner, and in the back room, knows hard work. I admire that person so much more than you whining here.
That person knows how to work long hours and they show up every single day! The fact that you insulted and think poorly of that person is a reflection on you. A truly bad reflection on you, that you are so clueless to broadcast in public!
In fact, you have given me a compliment comparing me to such a hard working person.
Thank you.

Why are you so bothered that many people are capable of successfully working from home? Is it because your own job (or personality) doesn’t lend itself to working from home, so you are incapable of believe if that other jobs or personalities can do it well?

I am perfectly fine working from home, being in academia. The simple fact is that many people do not work great from home, imo. Why do I say that? Bcs people work terrible from office or work! Many, many millions don't show up, show up late, don't do the work. These are simple things that most people my age know. We have worked with people that are self driven, and those are far and few. Majority can barely do work when they show up.
I am bothered by pps here who think that bcs they are good at working from home, they are entitled to work from home.
For many, with understanding bosses and work environment that is a great option.
Yet, that is not how work force functions. If a boss has 10 people and 2 work great from home. and 8 barely do anything, that boss/company is unlikely to allow two of you to work from home. Their priority is overall productivity.
My issue is with people saying "I want." That is so tiresome and immature. What YOU want is rarely what you get in real life.
In pampered UMC, maybe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No reason not to attend in person job!

Except, turns out, many of our jobs don’t need to be in person.

And that is great! As long as the person that decided where you work from, or don't work from agrees with you and allows you to continue to work from home.

Sure. A reasonable manager knows damn well whether her/his team have been able to get their work done well in the last year plus. This shouldn’t be hard.

So you all have reasonable managers? I know a CEO that was forced to move across country for the job. Then pandemic struck. He has worked great from the other location for a year and three months now.
Sadly, his manager did not know damn well...

[Anonymous]

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?

Because you are that stupid?
You only have one vision of people who might disagree with you? And you are not that smart as your only answer is to "insult" the poster? A sign of a not smart person is to lash out.
You are lashing out bcs you know I am right. That hurts and you don't really have a valid counterargument so you resort to alleged insults.
A person working at a dry cleaner, and in the back room, knows hard work. I admire that person so much more than you whining here.
That person knows how to work long hours and they show up every single day! The fact that you insulted and think poorly of that person is a reflection on you. A truly bad reflection on you, that you are so clueless to broadcast in public!
In fact, you have given me a compliment comparing me to such a hard working person.
Thank you.

Why are you so bothered that many people are capable of successfully working from home? Is it because your own job (or personality) doesn’t lend itself to working from home, so you are incapable of believe if that other jobs or personalities can do it well?

I am perfectly fine working from home, being in academia. The simple fact is that many people do not work great from home, imo. Why do I say that? Bcs people work terrible from office or work! Many, many millions don't show up, show up late, don't do the work. These are simple things that most people my age know. We have worked with people that are self driven, and those are far and few. Majority can barely do work when they show up.
I am bothered by pps here who think that bcs they are good at working from home, they are entitled to work from home.
For many, with understanding bosses and work environment that is a great option.
Yet, that is not how work force functions. If a boss has 10 people and 2 work great from home. and 8 barely do anything, that boss/company is unlikely to allow two of you to work from home. Their priority is overall productivity.
My issue is with people saying "I want." That is so tiresome and immature. What YOU want is rarely what you get in real life.
In pampered UMC, maybe.

Those are management problems, not work from home problems. But you sound very set in your ways an unwilling to accept that times are changing. Also, many many millions don’t show up? LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No reason not to attend in person job!

Except, turns out, many of our jobs don’t need to be in person.

And that is great! As long as the person that decided where you work from, or don't work from agrees with you and allows you to continue to work from home.

Sure. A reasonable manager knows damn well whether her/his team have been able to get their work done well in the last year plus. This shouldn’t be hard.

So you all have reasonable managers? I know a CEO that was forced to move across country for the job. Then pandemic struck. He has worked great from the other location for a year and three months now.
Sadly, his manager did not know damn well...

My boss is super reasonable and our office has done very well with WFH. I know many are not so lucky. I also don’t know if my boss’s bosses share his reasonable outlook. Time will tell!

[Anonymous]

It's perfectly reasonable for an employee to say "I want". We are not slaves to any corporation or CEO.

If a company does not want to continue offering remote positions, employees who WANT to work from home will find other employment. So expect turn over of good employees who can and do perform well virtually if your company DEMANDS in office presence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's perfectly reasonable for an employee to say "I want". We are not slaves to any corporation or CEO.

If a company does not want to continue offering remote positions, employees who WANT to work from home will find other employment. So expect turn over of good employees who can and do perform well virtually if your company DEMANDS in office presence.

Exactly.

Companies should embrace flexibility. It will benefit everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's perfectly reasonable for an employee to say "I want". We are not slaves to any corporation or CEO.

If a company does not want to continue offering remote positions, employees who WANT to work from home will find other employment. So expect turn over of good employees who can and do perform well virtually if your company DEMANDS in office presence.

Exactly.

Companies should embrace flexibility. It will benefit everyone.

Uh huh. I recall parents saying 'we're leaving the school system' and you'll suffer. Meanwhile less than 10% left and they kept their real estate which means school resources and funding stayed the same. Actually they're getting more thanks to increasing revenue from property taxes.

You're expendable - there's always an application behind you looking to get a food in the door for a good income white collar job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's perfectly reasonable for an employee to say "I want". We are not slaves to any corporation or CEO.

If a company does not want to continue offering remote positions, employees who WANT to work from home will find other employment. So expect turn over of good employees who can and do perform well virtually if your company DEMANDS in office presence.

Exactly.

Companies should embrace flexibility. It will benefit everyone.

Uh huh. I recall parents saying 'we're leaving the school system' and you'll suffer. Meanwhile less than 10% left and they kept their real estate which means school resources and funding stayed the same. Actually they're getting more thanks to increasing revenue from property taxes.

You're expendable - there's always an application behind you looking to get a food in the door for a good income white collar job.

Lol I’m not getting fired because I want to telework three days a week but go off.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

Ha! That's fantastic.

It's amazing how few employers are taking the overwhelming clamor for more WFH has pretty alarming feedback on that "office culture" this person is touting. If many of your employees are desperate to get away from the office, then maybe you've done a terrible job of creating a positive workplace culture.

I've always been more productive and happier working from home because there is less time wasted on dumb office BS. Who likes office birthday parties? Other than the cake, which honestly has been ruined anyway because everyone has so many dietary restrictions this days that you are as likely to be offered sugar-free, gluten-free cupcakes and OMG, I would much rather be at my desk working so that I can leave on time.

I manage 10 people and used to love doing a monthly birthday celebration where I'd bring in a store bought dessert. I had a boss who did this at my first job, and it always a nice 30 minute break in the day and a chance for some bonding/socializing. This became much more un-fun about 10 or so years ago, and then finally quietly quit doing it. So many diet restrictions. Either eat it or don't. I DGAF about your current "allergies" or diet.

[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.

Ha! That's fantastic.

It's amazing how few employers are taking the overwhelming clamor for more WFH has pretty alarming feedback on that "office culture" this person is touting. If many of your employees are desperate to get away from the office, then maybe you've done a terrible job of creating a positive workplace culture.

I've always been more productive and happier working from home because there is less time wasted on dumb office BS. Who likes office birthday parties? Other than the cake, which honestly has been ruined anyway because everyone has so many dietary restrictions this days that you are as likely to be offered sugar-free, gluten-free cupcakes and OMG, I would much rather be at my desk working so that I can leave on time.

I manage 10 people and used to love doing a monthly birthday celebration where I'd bring in a store bought dessert. I had a boss who did this at my first job, and it always a nice 30 minute break in the day and a chance for some bonding/socializing. This became much more un-fun about 10 or so years ago, and then finally quietly quit doing it. So many diet restrictions. Either eat it or don't. I DGAF about your current "allergies" or diet.

My office of 10-12 people used to go out to lunch for every single birthday. This was fun in the first few months of my job and slowly got very tedious (not to mention expensive). Thank god we slowly stopped doing that. It’s a giant waste of time to go to a crappy restaurant for your birthday, GREG.

[Anonymous]

I think if WFH is important to you, make it a priority and you will find it. I did that a decade ago and have never had trouble finding positions with remote work options and flexible scheduling. But that's because it's a priority for me. Earlier in my career, I had other priorities and worked in jobs with no WFH options because it was the only way to do certain kinds of work or work in certain organizations that I really wanted. As I got older and my priorities changed, I didn't mind giving those things up so that I could have more flexibility.

And that's the point. I have worked with many young workers who want WFH and feel resentful when they don't get it. While I understand why they prefer it (I prefer it too!), I think they often are unwilling to accept tradeoffs. Some types of jobs will never go remote. Some organizations never will. There are good and bad reasons for this. Some jobs really just need to be in person, whereas in some instances you are just dealing with a bad organization that can't figure it out. Either way, my recommendation is not to just fight it. Instead, seek out job opportunities that have the work environment you prefer.

That's why I find both sides in this "debate" kind of silly. Yes, WFH can be a huge boon for employees. So, go where they offer it! Don't sit around in a job you hate complaining about how you want to do it from home. I worked in a place a while back that had a generous WFH policy when I started there, then made it more restrictive because they felt some people were abusing it. I left -- I think the better response should have been to replace or discipline people who were abusing the policy, not to simply get rid of it. But that's their choice. I don't want to work somewhere like that.

[Anonymous]

I'm assuming Washingtonian is too small to have a legal division or employment lawyer on retainer. Or a board of directors.

Because they would've told this "CEO" to never, ever, ever publicly publish such an op-ed. Or even send this write-up internally to staff.

What an idiot "executive"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think if WFH is important to you, make it a priority and you will find it. I did that a decade ago and have never had trouble finding positions with remote work options and flexible scheduling. But that's because it's a priority for me. Earlier in my career, I had other priorities and worked in jobs with no WFH options because it was the only way to do certain kinds of work or work in certain organizations that I really wanted. As I got older and my priorities changed, I didn't mind giving those things up so that I could have more flexibility.

And that's the point. I have worked with many young workers who want WFH and feel resentful when they don't get it. While I understand why they prefer it (I prefer it too!), I think they often are unwilling to accept tradeoffs. Some types of jobs will never go remote. Some organizations never will. There are good and bad reasons for this. Some jobs really just need to be in person, whereas in some instances you are just dealing with a bad organization that can't figure it out. Either way, my recommendation is not to just fight it. Instead, seek out job opportunities that have the work environment you prefer.

That's why I find both sides in this "debate" kind of silly. Yes, WFH can be a huge boon for employees. So, go where they offer it! Don't sit around in a job you hate complaining about how you want to do it from home. I worked in a place a while back that had a generous WFH policy when I started there, then made it more restrictive because they felt some people were abusing it. I left -- I think the better response should have been to replace or discipline people who were abusing the policy, not to simply get rid of it. But that's their choice. I don't want to work somewhere like that.

Your last point is so true and frustrating. When *some* people don’t do well with WFH, that is a management issue between them and their supervisors. But managers opt for the lazy option of restricting WFH for everyone to solve the problem. And I am willing to bet employees who abuse work from home privileges aren’t exactly stellar performers when they’re in the office. In your scenario, you, a presumably good and productive employee, left the e company because managers couldn’t manage their people. I’m glad you’ve found what works well for you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm assuming Washingtonian is too small to have a legal division or employment lawyer on retainer. Or a board of directors.

Because they would've told this "CEO" to never, ever, ever publicly publish such an op-ed. Or even send this write-up internally to staff.

What an idiot "executive"

+1000000