My company went fully virtual over the pandemic like most. Everything was going well. They promised us every year in writing we are classified as fully remote workers and we would never go back. New hires up until this week signed offer letters for a virtual position.
This week, corporate sent out a mass email saying we are moving to hybrid, 3 times a week in office, starting in a few months. The comments on our workplace page are a sight to behold.
I am devastated, as are many others.
Firstly, probably a silly question, but how is this legal if employees signed an offer letter for virtual work and the company is now taking that back? Probably something in contract law, about which I know nothing.
But really I just wanted to make a list of the reasons fellow employees are stating they will be negatively affected by this, and I implore employers to have some empathy. Here it goes:
– employees made major life changes, family changes, and financial decisions counting on working from home permanently, as was promised.
– people sold cars and moved homes to lower COL area
– people will now have to buy a second car if multiple adults in the family commute, along with insurance for said car
– we are not being compensated for mileage, travel time, and our salaries are not being increased when this could cost employees thousands of dollars
– commuting is awful for mental and physical health, and takes valuable time
– speaking of physical health, there is now much less time to exercise. I’ve personally been able to lose 50 lbs in less than a year by exercising after work, before having to cook dinner, do chores, etc.
– teams at work consist of employees in different states. How is virtual work going to increase collaboration when we’ll still be in virtual meetings?
– childcare and elderly care. Being home with family is priceless, and now employees will scramble to find costly daycare arrangements… after daycare enrollment for the fall has already closed, mind you
– what about the poor dogs who will now have to be alone 8+ hours?
– employees had no input in this decision.
– Due to a likely exodus, those who choose to, or have to, stay will have an even higher workload
– this is worse for the environment, and goes against even our own company’s sustainability initiatives
– I suppose we should prepare to get sick more often, being around strangers all day
– morale is at an all-time low following this announcement
– what will disabled employees do?
– why is this not optional? Some people perform better in an office. That’s fine. But a majority of employees have better mental health working from home. Personally, I am happier, less stressed, learning new skills at home, and healthier, and many employees echo this in their reactions to this decision
On a final note: I am tired of archaic forced team building, collaboration, etc. I am an adult. I have my own friends and have no interest in making new friends at work or getting closer to my teammates. I just want to keep my head down and do good work. Forcing people into an office does not always boost creativity and trust.