Live data from Hacker News

80% of bosses say they regret earlier return-to-office plans

cnbc.com

41–50 of 630 posts

Re: 80% of bosses say they regret earlier return-to-office plans

#41

I understand the merits of WFH and in-person work. One thing that is however funny is the guilt tripping used by employers who have this straw-man version of a lazy WFH employee, and more so, employers who have a delusion that their workplace is important enough that people need to sacrifice a large portion of their lives just for the opportunity to be there in person. 90% of jobs aren't people's "passions" and have…

These very same employers will never take a pay cut for said “passion” that they have for their product (which they probably don’t even use much either).

They want to only pay others per keyboard keystroke but can’t accept that often the most efficient/productive workers don’t need to be busy. They spend a lot of their time thinking so that they can generate more impact with fewer keystrokes.

Treat people like adults and, surprisingly, get adult results. Set strategic goals, not daily quotas for minutia work.

Re: 80% of bosses say they regret earlier return-to-office plans

#42

I understand the merits of WFH and in-person work. One thing that is however funny is the guilt tripping used by employers who have this straw-man version of a lazy WFH employee, and more so, employers who have a delusion that their workplace is important enough that people need to sacrifice a large portion of their lives just for the opportunity to be there in person. 90% of jobs aren't people's "passions" and have…

> 90% of jobs aren't people's "passions"

I'd also like to add that even if you are in a field and doing work you are "passionate" about you'll spend between 25-75% of your time doing boring administrative bull hockey that no one is passionate about. Whether it's feeling out a time sheet, or watching HR videos on harassing coworkers.

Re: 80% of bosses say they regret earlier return-to-office plans

#44

They’re not regretting the decisions. They’re regretting the fact their poor decision making capabilities are on full display. Most of these “bosses” would still be caught doubling down on the RTO narrative and threatening people to show up to work. Bosses with Elon style of management, please take a warning. A weekly email threatening to fire people if they don’t show up in the office 5 days a week only works the fi…

Doe these threatening emails convey any kind of warning to prospective new employees? Not just in the WFH/RTO topic, but if they are this draconian in one area, would it not be safe to assume it would span other areas as well? Even if I was looking for a new job where the WFH issue didn't exist, I'd personally still be hesitant about working at a place managed by people doubling down like that

You’re not wrong, but it’s not that obvious to people. Most people look at this from a perspective of “ohh I’m okay with RTO so I don’t care” or “ohh I like RTO and people should stop complaining and being so entitled”. What they fail to realize is that soon it will be your paid parental leave cut down to two weeks or medical plans moved to cheaper options with less coverage, what are you going to do then?

Re: 80% of bosses say they regret earlier return-to-office plans

#45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Make sure to mutter whenever possible, and make all decisions via 1-1 asides. If possible, have a whiteboard way at the back of the room where it's visible but incomprehensible. And order food! Have some cookies, croissants, pizza delivered right as the meeting starts.

>And order food! Have some cookies, croissants, pizza delivered right as the meeting starts. as if the snacks one has in their own home are so undesirable that this is the compelling factor. such a good post left on such a weak point.

The indignity of getting excluded from free cake is not an economic calculus.

Lots of people could go to the grocery store and buy themselves a sheet cake. They don't.

Re: 80% of bosses say they regret earlier return-to-office plans

#47

They’re not regretting the decisions. They’re regretting the fact their poor decision making capabilities are on full display. Most of these “bosses” would still be caught doubling down on the RTO narrative and threatening people to show up to work. Bosses with Elon style of management, please take a warning. A weekly email threatening to fire people if they don’t show up in the office 5 days a week only works the fi…

[deleted]

Re: 80% of bosses say they regret earlier return-to-office plans

#48

I understand the merits of WFH and in-person work. One thing that is however funny is the guilt tripping used by employers who have this straw-man version of a lazy WFH employee, and more so, employers who have a delusion that their workplace is important enough that people need to sacrifice a large portion of their lives just for the opportunity to be there in person. 90% of jobs aren't people's "passions" and have…

I find it funny that when people were required to be home, employers talked about what great productivity they were getting with people at home. Then when it isn't required anymore, they want everyone back in the office for...productivity. My guess is that most employers really have no way to measure if an employee is being productive or not so managers are just reporting what makes them look good...and now we are back to where managers will look better with lots of people running around the office.

Re: 80% of bosses say they regret earlier return-to-office plans

#49

They’re not regretting the decisions. They’re regretting the fact their poor decision making capabilities are on full display. Most of these “bosses” would still be caught doubling down on the RTO narrative and threatening people to show up to work. Bosses with Elon style of management, please take a warning. A weekly email threatening to fire people if they don’t show up in the office 5 days a week only works the fi…

Not only that but those that stay are the “yes” men/women who are either bootlickers or accept that they aren’t valued much and thus will put in minimal genuine effort and just comply with stupid directives to the letter.

In the end you just don’t get that diversity of thought through disagreement/evolution/personal ownership that you otherwise get when people feel comfortable enough to genuinely show up and be mission-driven.

Re: 80% of bosses say they regret earlier return-to-office plans

#50
I like that for the present moment there are a diversity of approaches and people can somewhat self-select into a work culture that fits their preferences and needs. If you make abrupt changes I don’t like, rest assured I will be using my new time commuting on the train to prospect new job opportunities. But good for those who want and prefer an in-office culture. Voluntary association is a wonderful thing.

I mainly reserve scorn for companies issuing abrupt ultimatums to employees they hired remotely that they must relocate long distances or be fired. Nobody established in an area with a partner that also works, potentially has family nearby or kids in school is going to accept that. That move signals a toxic brew of tyranny and cowardice from execs who don’t want to take responsibility for doing a real layoff. Grindr, looking at you this week.

Post reply on HN