I work in IT for the government.
I was hired in April of 2020- the office was closed. I worked remotely and have been since then.
My manager sent an email out last week saying we are going to be back in the office this month.
Since I’ve been working there I’ve been a pretty good employee. I’ve gotten a bunch of bonuses just based on my performance and had the opportunity to get a $60000 raise.
All sounds good however I really don’t understand why we can’t stay working remotely when we’ve been doing fine the last two years. The team I work for, the productivity was 100% for the first time last year since working from home. It’s never been at 100% before pre-remote work.
I like working there but I am really trying to see if I can find a way to ask my manager to make my position fully remote otherwise I’m going to find another job. I am trying to figure out how to use the gas prices as a way to help my case.
My other team members also don’t want to go back to the office, but 98% of the team I work with is in their 60s, close to retirement age anyway so they don’t have that much longer staying there
What should I say?