I mean, it’s not really a “in office” v “remote working” debate - people will slack off and make themselves look busy regardless of where they are. That’s caused by a case-specific mix of motivation, discipline, or other factors. That’s a line management issue rather than a work location issue - WfH just gets scapegoated for that.
Ultimately it will be the money starting to talk - if the accountants start complaining about expensive office space not being used to its maximum, then they’ll start instructing folk back to the office. It’s a shit reason but unless your contract specifically says remote, it’ll be the balance sheet making the decision for you (edit: unless it really doesn’t work for you and you go nuclear with the “resign” button of course)
I’ve read that the “resign button” is one of the biggest motivators for back to office bullshit. If you resign, it cheaper than them laying you off. Saves a shitload of money, to my understanding.
I have to be in office one day a week. Mondays. Just get it over with. Sometimes, I have nothing to do. I piddle. I listen to music on my phone. I check the weather 47 times. I read the news.
I mean, it’s not really a “in office” v “remote working” debate - people will slack off and make themselves look busy regardless of where they are. That’s caused by a case-specific mix of motivation, discipline, or other factors. That’s a line management issue rather than a work location issue - WfH just gets scapegoated for that.
Ultimately it will be the money starting to talk - if the accountants start complaining about expensive office space not being used to its maximum, then they’ll start instructing folk back to the office. It’s a shit reason but unless your contract specifically says remote, it’ll be the balance sheet making the decision for you (edit: unless it really doesn’t work for you and you go nuclear with the “resign” button of course)
I’ve read that the “resign button” is one of the biggest motivators for back to office bullshit. If you resign, it cheaper than them laying you off. Saves a shitload of money, to my understanding.
Here are some sources.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/danpriceseattle_25-of-companies-have-used-return-to-office-activity-7227036399466602498-DQZg
https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/4800828-office-mandates-cause-attrition/
https://www.theregister.com/2024/06/09/rto_quit_study/
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/12/why-rto-mandates-are-layoffs-in-disguise-according-to-workplace-experts.html
I have to be in office one day a week. Mondays. Just get it over with. Sometimes, I have nothing to do. I piddle. I listen to music on my phone. I check the weather 47 times. I read the news.
Those days suck.
The thing is that with WfH you can’t just “look busy” as easily as you can in the office. You actually have to produce some results.