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Antiwork

“Optional” Return to Office

Wording and any possible replies will be purposefully vague because my tin foil hat is screwed on too tight today… The backstory: So like many, the pandemic caused my SO's company to go full WFH. While business was impacted to a certain extent, they were able to continue operations almost completely. Over the 3+ years, multiple “no raises, but be glad you still have jobs” (nearly verbatim) type e-mails have been sent out or line has been stated on all hands conf calls… The company has been teasing return to office for the better part of a year and it finally happened last week in the form of a “hybrid” schedule with much corporate fanfare. Pretty much everyone has been grumbling about it for months – they've been successful from home, so why go back into the office? My theory: because someone decided to move the office (location makes business…


Wording and any possible replies will be purposefully vague because my tin foil hat is screwed on too tight today…

The backstory:

So like many, the pandemic caused my SO's company to go full WFH. While business was impacted to a certain extent, they were able to continue operations almost completely. Over the 3+ years, multiple “no raises, but be glad you still have jobs” (nearly verbatim) type e-mails have been sent out or line has been stated on all hands conf calls…

The company has been teasing return to office for the better part of a year and it finally happened last week in the form of a “hybrid” schedule with much corporate fanfare. Pretty much everyone has been grumbling about it for months – they've been successful from home, so why go back into the office? My theory: because someone decided to move the office (location makes business sense for at least one reason, but “asses in seats” isn't it) and needs to justify the decision to spend money on new office space that hasn't been used at all…

The location move has at minimum doubled the commute time from the old office (and exponentially increased it from just rolling out of bed)… I thought the cherry on top was the open floor plan that makes it so easy to collaborate with people that SO doesn't need to because they'll be busy on the phone doing their job, but I was wrong! This e-mail was sent out today noting that WFH full time is optionally available again, after just one week (3 full days) of hybrid/in office work. Taking something away and “giving it back” in this way seems so wrong.

Here is the e-mail in all it's glory:

​From: ​​[REDACTED] ​

Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2023​ ​[​TIME ​REDACTED] ​

Cc: ​​[REDACTED] ​

Subject: Work from Home Request

Hello ​[REDACTED] ​Client Services and Technology Loca​​l Teams:

By now you have settled into your new office spaces, and we hope you are enjoying the new atmosphere. The Company put a lot of time, energy, and money into creating a safe, fun, and engaging place for you to work and collaborate.

As you know, ​​[REDACTED]’s current return to work Hybrid Model requires you to be in the office just two days a week, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. We allow you the opportunity to work i​​n the office or remotely on Wednesdays, and work remotely on Mondays and Fridays.

We have spoken to some employees who enjoy coming to the office two days a week, while others have expressed an interest in working in the office less than two days a week and are willing to trade minor compensation for the flexibility to work remotely up to five days a week.

It is our goal to create a work environment that is both accommodating and productive, taking into consideration organizational needs. ​​[REDACTED] would like to grant teammates who work on the Client Services and Technology Local Teams (CSSs, CSAs, Programmers, QA, Implementation) the option to request a schedule that comprises less than the required two hybrid workdays per week in the office. Instead of the current eight days a month (2 times per week) in the office, we are offering a choice to work in the office either four days a month, two days a month, or fully remote. Under any election, you will be expected to attend in-person meetings in the office from time to time when determined necessary by your Supervisor.

If your request for the revised Work From Home program is approved, other than for medical or disability, then for the initial calendar year you will not receive a raise, and your current annual base compensation will be adjusted one time as follows: a) If you elect to work in the office 50% of the Hybrid Work in Office Days (four days a month), you will receive a one-time reduction in your current annual base compensation of 5%; b) If you elect to work in the office 25% of the Hybrid Work in Office Days (two days a month), you will receive a one-time reduction in your current annual base compensation of 7.5%; c) If you elect to work in the office 0% of the Hybrid Work in Office Days (fully remote), you will receive a one-time reduction in your current annual base compensation of 10%. The Work From Home Form will allow you to select which days/weeks you wish to work in the office based upon your election (unless fully remote). 

To make such a request, please contact Human Resources to receive the Work From Home Form, which you must complete and submit to Human Resources by this Friday June 2, 2023, by 12:00 pm. Once completed, your request will be reviewed by your Supervisor, and then Human Resources will advise you of next steps.  

We believe that in-person time together is important for a variety of reasons, including connection and moral, thus the Company’s investment in renovating the workplaces and purchasing new furniture. While we prefer that everyone has a presence in the office on the scheduled two hybrid workdays per week, at this time we are letting you make the decision based on your personal preference. It is our hope that by giving you the flexibility to decide the number of days to work in the office and remote that we will continue to create a successful working environment for everyone.

Thanks 

Some notes that I have to the email:

  • The wording of the entire email has “ultimatum” written all over it.
    • Sent on Wednesday, respond by Friday or fuck off.
    • “come to the office or we cut your pay” – “we're letting you decide based on your preference.
  • They spelled “morale” wrong.
    • The cost incurred had a negative impact on morale. Double loss. Maybe they should have surveyed employees if that was one of their top concerns?
  • “fun” workspace… Coming from someone who enjoys what they do – this is not a silicon valley or unicorn startup in their prime. There's nothing fun about this… They even removed the fabric covered boxes, but that's a negative here because open floor plans suck.
  • After months of hearing people complain and going all in on RTO, a week later you decide to pump the breaks?
  • While not explicitly noted here, other people attached to this office moved out of state and still work for the company 100% remote. Are they getting a 10% pay cut? Did they already get a pay cut? Almost certainly they moved to lower cost of living areas (we live in a high cost of living area), so did they get market decreases as part of the move?

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