How nasty it can get for non compliance of new 3 days a week "work from office" rule? Could this policy be be a sly backdoor route to enforce a silent RIF? (Terminate people without severance for even the slightest non compliance?) Or is it just a bluff by HR head JD?
At Framingham HQ, some teams are fully remote, while a few A** H*le managers (Director and VP level guys) are bossing around and asking everyone to report back. Unfortunately there seems to different levels of WFH permissions, even with in teams that report to same director/VP. It is a big mess out here. Any insights from your teams?
8 replies (most recent on top)
Just go to work, is it that hard? Can’t you see this this is 100% in YOUR control. It is not some hocus pocus way to complete a RIF and whack everyone. If they wanted to whack you, they would just do what they have done every year for the last ten years and just lay you off. Stop being paranoid and just go to work.
And I bet you walked uphill in the snow to school every day too…
Oh my goodness- come on. I worked for Staples previously for almost 2 decades and every single day was in the office and had to drive almost 2 hours each way. Now I work for another company that is also 5 days a week in the office and we’re flourishing. It’s called work for a reason. I worked from home during the height of the pandemic for another company, and we got a fraction of the amount of work done- it was just due to lack of collaboration- not people being intentionally lazy. Being seen in person consistently builds a solid reputation. It also allows you to shine and bring your ideas forward.
Welcome to the real world. Associates in the field are expected to work EVERY day. We were considered "essential workers" and reported to work throughout 2020, and 2021. So you have to come in 3 days a week. What was happening before 2020???
get up to speed or get out. We don't need a RIF for that.
Merchandising and Planning Teams are 3 days a week. A few people come in late and leave early though. Somehow a few people still have medical exemptions even though they were in the office precovid. If coming in 3 days a week allows me to keep my job then I will do it. What was most upsetting to me was that we were given approval last August to work 2 days a week instead of 3, but when they had another push to bring everyone back it went back to 3 again. I believe most people were ok with 2. It provided just enough flexibility. Not the best, but less annoying.
100% a way to fire people for noncompliance rather than doing the usual Nov/holiday time layoff. Finance org here - VP is enforcing compliance beyond what SLT is asking of us. Assuming they’re trying to cover their butts if any questions are asked.
Back to office is a tried and true method to reduce workforce without looking bad laying ppl off or firing ppl
All about money, ain't it?
Are you based out of Framingham??? Then drag your a-s to office because we've done a Sale and lease back of HQ building.. ( to give some more cash to SP, happened a few years ago), we gotta pay the lease payments on time and can't leave the building empty, so might as well drag everyone back. "The leadership can sound eloquent by quoting collaboration anddd team work anddd productivity.. blah blah blah"..
If you are not based out of HQ , "The leadership understands that Working from home helps you manage work balance... yada yada yada", and the management can close /shut your office space and save on Office rental expense..
Follow the money.. ya will getcha right answer!!