Thread regarding 3M layoffs

RTO

Anyone hearing anything? After BB's really long, prepared answer to what was obviously a planted question, where he got to wax philosophical about longer lines in the cafeteria and more cars in the parking lot and in his important culture is, blah blah blah.

I was told that they're trying to figure out space for everyone, and that we'll probably hear in September. JGs 16+ back in the office 5 days a week, everyone else back two or three days.

I was also told that the company is prepared to lose people over the announcement. So, you know ...

It's a feature, not a bug.

by
| 5501 views | | 13 replies (last May 2, 2025) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1jspedwe3

13 replies (most recent on top)

Didn't they downsize the building size (again) in Austin? Why bother paying for space?

A far cry from the days of 2000 employees at Four Points. At least former Austin employees will always have Brad's academy award winning s-b story when he was implementing another wave of the Mcnerney layoffs.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1b1+1jspedwe3

3M and Patolawala were stupid enough to have sell land and roof tops. No way a RTO mandate can work. 150 ish desk space to go around for a location that has 1000-1500 employees. Try fitting that

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1ay+1jspedwe3

I’m working in a global role from home in Europe, being in international calls 4-6h a day, sometimes early in the morning, sometimes in late evenings due to time zones. It needs flexibility and I can be flexible, I’m fine with joining a call after dinner.

There are 2 colleagues in my local office, out of 60 I somewhat regularly speak to. Commute would be 2h per day and takes away the morning and evening time slots for Asian and American meetings.

How does RTO make any sense here? It’s bad for the company, it’s bad for me. It’s a lose/lose.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @193+1jspedwe3

Most teams have members across the globe. The past 5 years of remote work have brought out the voices of those from outside the US. Instead of side conversations happening between just a couple, everyone was interacting the same way and so collaboration has been amongst the full team vs amongst a couple who happen to be at the same site. I've traveled a lot in my career but it was always "them" and "us". With the past 5 years, my global teams have become truly a globally functioning team where all are able to fully bring their skills and voices to the table. In my opinion, it's the global teams that lose the most in this RTO mandate. And there is a high percentage of global teams at 3M. Hope the "mandate" is smarter, with variances by function. Labs, etc need to be in person to do their core work. Those who are on laptops all day function worse in noisy environments. Be smart, 3M.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @14q+1jspedwe3

Blanket RTO orders are id--tic. I no longer work at Mother Mining, but before I left, I didn't work with anyone at the Center other than my manager who I never interacted with. I worked with plants in APAC and a subcon. Why does someone like that need to sit in a windowless cube in Maplewood?

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @10z+1jspedwe3

My boss confirmed that it is coming but did not know when, he said it would be 4 days for everyone and even locations that have otherwise mostly avoided it (Austin). Distant remote people seem to get grandfathered in … for now. They definitely need space and more lead time for an announcement unlike last time. Hopefully like the other comment, it would be after summer but I would put nothing past them. I guess all I can say is I am glad I did not move last year farther out of the cities. Time to batten down the hatches and soldier up Mother Mining knows best.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @10f+1jspedwe3

welp, @r3+1jspedwe3 coffee badging for me in september. no way I can handle more than 2 hours of kool-aid drinking dbags M-F.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @s4+1jspedwe3

100% things are changing. Global RTO is in the works. If people want to quit all the better for cost savings. We will go back to assigning desks and I also heard the ramp will cost money as they are going to allow commuters to park there to take the express bus. So get there early if you want a spot. September is the timing. Enjoy the summer while you can.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @r3+1jspedwe3

The company has hired a lot of fully remote people in the last 5 years.. I would think if they mandate RTO for everyone, they would have to give multiple months notice like Amazon did.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @kt+1jspedwe3

What kind of friendless tool wants to be back in the office?

If you're feeling lonely maybe go join a golf league, because work isn't where you make friends.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @fh+1jspedwe3

BB is in town every week. Go down to the garage and see where his batmobile is parked. RTO will be every day for every one after the summer. Enjoy your long weekends at the cabin this year because after that, it is office time for all you whiners. No more 4 hour days on the sofa!

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @ea+1jspedwe3

My boss doesn't seem to think the RTO policy will change anytime soon. Not enough space, and to get the campus ready that will require money. BB doesn't like spending money. Even if it changes, there will be exceptions or management that won't make it an issue for the fear of losing personal on the already lean teams they run.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @am+1jspedwe3

Anyone at the Center know how often BB is actually in town? One week per month? Tireman was always hanging around so his gang of dwarves could swoon over him. Rumor is BB hangs out in Florida more than Maplewood, yet his "culture" demands RTO.

BB is only here as long as it takes to slice 3M into a bunch of independent businesses.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @ac+1jspedwe3

Post a reply

: