It seems we are passed the point of no return on this one.
Remote work is with us to stay.
This appears to be proven out with each case that is put to the test. Companies have seen the entire employee-employer relationship change a great deal during the last 2.5 years. Because of that, adaption is required. It seems this is slow for some to realize.
Elon Musk made news (no surprise there) by claiming that all Tesla workers had to return to the office. There was going to be no remote work according to him. This is something that we see in much of the technology world.
It also seems to be commonplace within the automotive industry.
Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors, decided that it is time for all employees to return to the office. There is no reason for them to stay home anymore. After all, President Biden just announced the pandemic is over.
In a Friday afternoon message, the company informed employees that it was moving things back to the office. The plan was for corporate employees returning to the office at least 3 days per week.
According to CNBC, the company is now in damage control and having to backtrack its plans. This came as a result of the response it received from the workers.
On Tuesday, a second message walked back that timing and clarified the company won’t be mandating specific in-office days, instead leaving that decision to individual teams.
This is a large difference from the previous decision.
“Our plan was always, and still is, collaboratively design the solution that best balances the needs of the enterprise with the needs of each of you,” read the memo, which was signed by CEO Mary Barra and other executives, a copy of which was viewed by CNBC.
Of course, this is a radical change from the flexible approach that the company was taking.
During the COVID crisis, we were told that "we are all in this together". Employees were tasked with figuring out how to work remotely, which the companies benefited from.
Naturally, as things "returned to normal", the being in things together went out the window. Now it is the goal to get everyone back to the way they were before.
The difference is that employees aren't having it.
Many are now questioning whether we are entering a new era of employer-employee relations. This is something that we see being played out throughout the world.
One major factor is something we discussed in depth on here: demographics.
The fact that many countries are seeing an aging population is having a profound impact already. As more enter the retirement years, we start alter the make up of the existing workforce.
It appears many companies are feeling this already. As they are trying to insert their will on employees, they are finding that people are exercising options. The "Great Resignation" is a major warning sign of a seismic shift. While we can debate the reasons for this all day long, the bottom line is we are seeing it happen. Employees, regardless of the source, feel empowered to say "no".
Will this continue? With the demographics playing out as they are, it likely will. Some companies, driven by aggressive and motivated leaders, will start to tap into the extended pool of talent that comes from focusing on knowledge workers from around the country (and even world).
This is going to put more pressure on the others to be able to match it. It is a situation where people have options, especially from outside their geographic areas, the power shifts immediately.
Those that do not get on board are going to find they miss out on the top talent. GM was smart to back track on their proclamation of requiring all to return to the office.
Unfortunately, the fact they went this direction shows there might be a massive shift required in their thinking.
It is what happens during paradigm shifts.
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