Earlier in the pandemic many news and magazine organizations would proudly write about how working from home always actually can lead to over working and being too “productive”. I am yet to collect some evidence on it but I think we remember a good amount about this.
Now after a bunch of companies want their remote workers back at the office, every one of those companies are being almost propaganda machines which do not cite sound scientific studies but cite each other and interviews with higher ups in top companies that “remote workers are less productive”. This is further cementing the general public’s opinion on this matter.
And research that shows the opposite is buried deep within any search results.
Have you noticed this? Please share what you have observed. I’m going paranoid about this.
My whole job revolves around cloud computing platforms, why do I need to be in an office? Yet it’s looking like I’m going to be forced to make the choice of returning to an office I’ve never been to, or holding out until I find a new remote gig, while hurting my family financially.
The stupidest thing about the whole return to work things is that I’ve seen a lot of jobs and people who were remote prior to COVID are also being forced back into the office as well, creating financial hardships for those people. This is all just a shadow layoff, just a means to trimming the “fat”, and I’m betting they’re going to overcorrect and become even harsher with anyone that wants to not be in the office constantly.
At my last job my entire team was spread across the country. So when they started making me go back into the office I would have to drive an hour to get to work, just so I could sit at a desk alone and telecommute with my teammates. It was basically a huge waste of time and money for me. So I found a new job and quit. They begged me to stay after I gave notice, despite the fact that I told them ahead of time that I was going to leave if they insisted I go to the office. I guess they thought I was bluffing. They agreed to let me stay WFH after I gave notice and I just laughed.
This how they operate. Even though I work from home, I was being completely overworked and stressed out at the end of last year. As soon as my 401k match went through at the beginning of January, I turned in my notice without a new job lined up. I did do one video interview, but didn’t get the gig.
On my very last day of employment I was contacted by a zone vp and asked to stay. He offered a new position for a pilot they were rolling out and about a $10k increase. I took it. It’s been a lot better, but still sucks so I interviewed with someone else today. Point is, that these big corporations don’t really give a shit about there employees. Regardless of what they say or the BS they plaster all over their websites and social media. You are disposable and they will take advantage of you at every opportunity.
It’s a shitty way to do business, but it’s up to the individual to look out for themselves and be willing to take some risks. Work hard and learn as much as possible. Make yourself invaluable and you’ll be in a lot better position to make it
Refuse the RTO and start looking for another job. Don’t quit. They won’t fire you right away, it will take a while. They might even cave if they need you.