They overhired remote people during the pandemic and now it seems that half of every team resides in different states. (so much for collaboration, right? we're all in zoom meetings all day regardless of whether we're near an office or not...)
What is going to happen to all those remote people now that RTO is a thing?
Well this thread aged well.
The water temp is rising in this here pot and the froggies are starting to sweat.
RTO is going to ki-l my career.
If you’re in the US, not in a sales role (inherently remote), and not either within 30 miles of the three S’s Seattle, Spokane, San Jose) (or maybe Boulder now too), maybe it’s time to start applying externally… obviously exceptions apply, but the amount of remote employees we have compared to the “freedom to flex” program pre-pandemic, its substantially higher. As with anything, if you’re a high performing employee, you’re probably safe.
"What IBM started, others will surely follow. "
" is focused on providing a work environment that balances flexibility with the face-to-face interactions that make us more productive, innovative and better able to serve our clients."
This sounds like a blueprint most corporations use. "F" real productivity, coffee chat about BS, wasted time, and pollution is what counts! And these VPs dare to talk about the "human-first approach", "collaboration", "family", and being loyal to corporations!? It's sickening!
What IBM started, others will surely follow.
https://fortune.com/2024/01/29/ibm-remote-work-policy-managers-ordered-to-move-3-days-per-week-in-office/amp/
“ Doubtful much will happen to fully remote folks besides normal layoffs for restructuring remote teams.”
True. ELT doesn’t have to justify their actions in detail. It’s a simple decision “to keep business profitable” and “adjust to markets”. The reality is executives won’t lose their jobs for taking bad decisions for what they are paid millions. Even though they leave, they get $$$$$ cheque.
If I had to guess, they will start moving towards collocated teams again. Probably starts with hiring only in Seattle/San Jose and eventually pressuring people to move or lose their roles.
In a few years, we may just have a few senior+ engineer/support folks in the USA and the primary workforce offshore. If you're not planning an exit, I suggest you start thinking about it.
@ztf+1r4ACBtp This confirms my suspicion that RTO is just a tactic to find people to layoff, because if they really cared about people being in the office they wouldn't lay mass numbers of people off who live close to an office (even if they don't meet the 30 day requirement) because that's just taking away more people who can go into an office at all
Doubtful much will happen to fully remote folks besides normal layoffs for restructuring remote teams.
FLD said in the company meeting that those who don't comply with RTO will face consequences including termination. Based on current numbers, That will likely get rid of a nice chunk of employees and not require any big team layoffs for a bit.
Also, Many of the 'remote' teams hired in the last 3 years are in India and there is no driver to reduce that staff at the moment.
Peak internet. Someone asks a reasonable question and another person comes in with a ranting non-sequitor.
Sitting in Zoom or in-person meetings "all day" clearly indicates very poor management skills. It's not people's fault that objectives and desired outcomes are unclear and that managers or other workers can organize meetings without providing a clear agenda. The key to success is the skill to work asynchronously! It seems poorly skilled managers prefer to bring people in for "better collaboration" and [X] (insert any BS word about collaboration and teamwork). Please take a look at Amazon AWS and how they approach meetings! Learn from them how they prepare for meetings and what is required from whom. But, no, it's better to blame workers for lack of imaginary collaboration and lay them off instead of useless middle managers who can't stand "lack of control". Who should be fired or re-trained in the first place? Who is to blame?
Its called a re-org and its coming to you soon.