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‘It’s Not My Responsibility’ to Save the Office Economy

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Re: ‘It’s Not My Responsibility’ to Save the Office Economy

#21

Post by eru »

bluefishinit wrote: post #6

It feels like RTO is quickly evaporating the leverage these big companies temporarily created with their mass layoffs. I think the plan was to create a poor labor market so they could demand RTO. Well, it looks like the majority of the industry is calling their bluff and refusing to go back to the office regardless of the threat of unemployment. The tech job market seems to be rejuvenating so I think if people couldn…

> I think the plan was to create a poor labor market so they could demand RTO.

I highly doubt anyone had that plan. A single company doesn't much influence the total labour market. Or do you suggest they cooperated in smoke filled backrooms?

Re: ‘It’s Not My Responsibility’ to Save the Office Economy

#22

Post by sidewndr46 »

toomuchtodo wrote: post #3
whywhywhywhy wrote: post #2

Just genuinely don't see the point in this debate anymore, like some companies will want you to show up, some will be fine with you working from home. If your company is asking you to show up, time to just get another job if that's important to you. Thankfully it's an easy solve because the people who like showing up are tired of video calls anyway.

Workers have leverage and are using it. You don’t have to understand it for workers to work towards having more agency over their working arrangements. The NLRB is likely about to reinstate the Joy Silk doctrine, which will make it even easier to organize. Workers who want flexible work arrangements as a right should lean into that. Public support for unions exceeds 70%, the highest amount in almost 60 years. So stra…

I believe you meant "Joy Silk" doctrine. But in any case, it is laughable. The penalties handed down from the NLRB for union busting are the equivalent of seconds of profit for most of these companies.

Re: ‘It’s Not My Responsibility’ to Save the Office Economy

#23

Post by bluefishinit »

eru wrote: post #21
bluefishinit wrote: post #6

It feels like RTO is quickly evaporating the leverage these big companies temporarily created with their mass layoffs. I think the plan was to create a poor labor market so they could demand RTO. Well, it looks like the majority of the industry is calling their bluff and refusing to go back to the office regardless of the threat of unemployment. The tech job market seems to be rejuvenating so I think if people couldn…

> I think the plan was to create a poor labor market so they could demand RTO. I highly doubt anyone had that plan. A single company doesn't much influence the total labour market. Or do you suggest they cooperated in smoke filled backrooms?

Yes, that's exactly what I'm suggesting:

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/apr/24/apple-goo...

I've seen multiple CEOs gleefully plan for RTO and talk about the weak labor market together, so I'm surprised anyone would doubt this is happening.

Re: ‘It’s Not My Responsibility’ to Save the Office Economy

#24

Post by watwut »

themaninthedark wrote: post #8

It's kind of funny to me that for a long time the people in cities looked down on rural people and life and touted the benefits of living in close proximity. When COVID hit, we saw a mass exodus from the cities and now people don't want to return.

Somehow I constantly see rural fans bashing cities and city people for no reason in contexts unrelated to any of that ... while rarely the opposite. I do prefer to live in a city and would not want to live in rural place, yep, mostly due to proximity to things. Both pre and post covid.

Re: ‘It’s Not My Responsibility’ to Save the Office Economy

#25

Post by losteric »

themaninthedark wrote: post #8

It's kind of funny to me that for a long time the people in cities looked down on rural people and life and touted the benefits of living in close proximity. When COVID hit, we saw a mass exodus from the cities and now people don't want to return.

I live in the city, 20 minute bus to office location. Love the city, urbanism, density.

I'm one of the ardent never-RTO crowd, leaving a 9 year tenure.

Re: ‘It’s Not My Responsibility’ to Save the Office Economy

#26

Post by glitcher »

“Everything from daycare to public transportation, toll roads, fuel and fuel taxes, auto purchases and maintenance, dry cleaners, nail spas, restaurants, clothiers, hair stylists, dog walkers, nannies and office leases suffer when people work from home,”

Sounds to me like more households get to retain more of their income (and time) as a result. And that extra money will end up back in the economy albeit in different ways, so it's not like the money just disappears. Businesses and governments will just have to adapt to change, and I have no sympathy for their sob stories and stubborn instincts to resist change.

Re: ‘It’s Not My Responsibility’ to Save the Office Economy

#27

Post by toomuchtodo »

sidewndr46 wrote: post #22
toomuchtodo wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Workers have leverage and are using it. You don’t have to understand it for workers to work towards having more agency over their working arrangements. The NLRB is likely about to reinstate the Joy Silk doctrine, which will make it even easier to organize. Workers who want flexible work arrangements as a right should lean into that. Public support for unions exceeds 70%, the highest amount in almost 60 years. So stra…

I believe you meant "Joy Silk" doctrine. But in any case, it is laughable. The penalties handed down from the NLRB for union busting are the equivalent of seconds of profit for most of these companies.

Typo corrected, Thank you!

Re: ‘It’s Not My Responsibility’ to Save the Office Economy

#28

Post by spaceman_2020 »

imgabe wrote: post #19

Offices per se aren’t necessarily terrible. Commutes are terrible. Open floor plans are terrible. Companies don’t seem interested in fixing these things, though.

Yep. Ask any remote worker if they’d go back to the office and most would say no. Ask them if the office was within walking distance and most probably wouldn’t mind.

Re: ‘It’s Not My Responsibility’ to Save the Office Economy

#30

Post by cebert »

imgabe wrote: post #19

Offices per se aren’t necessarily terrible. Commutes are terrible. Open floor plans are terrible. Companies don’t seem interested in fixing these things, though.

I live very close to an office at my company. My issue isn't with going to the office but more so the open office floor plan. At my home, I have a dedicated quiet office and can focus much easier. I don't have to wear headphones all day to cancel out the noise and distractions. The leaders making RTO mandates have personal offices and don't get to "enjoy" the same experience as the worker bees.
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