Wave of protests against returning to the office rises

Amazon’s HR department rejected a petition signed by nearly 30,000 employees protesting its return-to-office policy. Apple tracks attendance and threatens action against anyone who fails to show up at least three days a week. In March, Elon Musk emailed subordinates at 2:30 a.m. to remind them of the company’s policy.

In May, groups of Amazon office workers protested against in-office work requirements, among other issues.

Amazon employees protest at its headquarters in Seattle, Washington, USA on May 31. (Photo: Reuters)

It seems employees are not willing to back down. It’s a battle that has been going on for years. Since the pandemic ushered in new ways of working, many have found they love the flexibility of working remotely. They feel empowered to speak up, and many bosses have caved.

Abbie Shipp, a management professor at Texas Christian University’s Neeley School of Business, calls it an “ugly war.” But it’s also a great opportunity to experiment with new approaches and tailor them to individual and business needs.

Employers have good reasons to want employees back in the office, Shipp says. Things like collaboration, mentoring, and building a culture are easier in person. But a one-size-fits-all approach can be counterproductive and create a lack of trust, she adds. She expects these disagreements to last for months, if not years.

Employee's argument

There are a myriad of reasons why many employees say they don’t want to go back to the office every day. After working from home due to Covid-19, they discovered benefits such as no commute, more time for family and personal interests while still being productive.

Three years after the pandemic, most people’s daily lives have changed and they don’t want to go back to the way they were before. Many companies are missing out on the productivity gains that come from employees balancing work and personal responsibilities.

James Bailey, professor of management at the University of Washington School of Business, explains that employee resistance can be a psychological phenomenon, a human instinct when feeling freedom is threatened.

While employees believe they have bargaining leverage, Bailey said employers are in a strong position because the economic outlook is uncertain. Banking crises and skyrocketing inflation are taking their toll. Many places are implementing mass layoffs, and not just one.

According to Bailey, many workers were “intoxicated” with the power they had during the pandemic, but as the economy changed, they were forced to sober up.

Employees have many options

Having the upper hand doesn’t mean employers will ultimately win this tug-of-war. Even as American workers begin to spend more time in the office, workplaces remain largely empty. Office occupancy rates hover at 47.6% and have barely budged this year, according to Kastle Systems, which tracks employee card swipes.

Despite the headlines about layoffs, many organizations are struggling with hiring. Voluntary departures continue to rise. The opportunity to work completely remotely is dwindling, but there are still options for those looking for work.

If companies think the labor market is oversupplied by layoffs and don’t need to worry about employees quitting, they are being shortsighted, said Ron Carucci, co-founder of consulting firm Navalent. Rigid requirements are the product of “delusional, command-and-control” leadership.

“These leaders believe that if they put their employees under their supervision, they will be more effective. They are clinging to a familiar model, while their assistants do not tell them that the model is outdated and does not work,” Carucci added.

In contrast, those who manage the transition to hybrid work well are reassessing the types of work that needs to be done and gathering employee feedback to figure out how best to do it. They also pay attention to employee satisfaction and engagement.

(According to BI)

Amazon employees protest against returning to the office The Amazon employee protest took place on May 31 to protest the company's policy of forcing employees to return to the office.

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