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0 pointsA4ET8a8uTh02y ago0 comments

About 6 months ago my manager, who happens to prefer RTO told me how if I only visit office sometime, I should not expect to have a desk. I was amused, but I did not ask if that means I can just stay home then.

Clearly management class figured out a fun little plan. Announce RTO so that people can 'self-select' thus reducing headcount ( lower cost ), introduce hybrid ( so that you can claim you are flexible in posting even if you offer 1 remote day out of 5 and save real estate at the same time ), sell non-performing real estate ( lower cost ) and cramming employees into rotating cubicles ( efficiency ).

What does it all translate to? Bonuses.

I am not exactly a revolutionary type, but its now or never if you are on a particular side of the fence. Whatever window is there to establish a normal, it is closing now.

0 comments

worrycue2y ago

> people can 'self-select' thus reducing headcount

Self-select usually mean the brightest and most capable select another job though.

A4ET8a8uTh0OP2y ago

That is the weirdest part of this whole shift for me. Remote positions now get tons of applications and can afford to select best possible candidates, while 'old guard' is left with 'not best' candidates. Granted, some positions do not need a rocket scientist, but one would think a company would want someone, who is capable enough to have options.

And yet, HRs across the US spectrum seem to be sending the same memo. I am mildly annoyed by this, because I had a mini-conversation today and the tone from an executive was: business won't let this ( WFH ) stand.

Maybe it is not about best possible candidate. Maybe they are ok with less capable people for whatever reason.

eastbound2y ago

Cliché that the best people are among the remote workers.

Are they, though? Coding well doesn’t make a good programmer. Interaction does, and influence in the office does.

I think remote workers just hate office politics, like everyone else, but that makes them non-contributing to company growth.

1 more reply

chaxor2y ago

I think that's what was implied by "it's now or never".

Your company forces anti-remote policies? If you're worth anything, just leave.

pempem2y ago

I love this approach.

Our org had a different plan. They put the entire office (region based) on organized teams and sent out an email. You get team points based on: - visits to the office - meals in the office - attendance at after hours events - etc. etc.

SMDH. I can see the article headline now "Innovative gamification in the office"

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