Should your employer make you go back to office?

I was only at my job for about 2 months before the WFH order. Once I realized this was gonna go on for a while ...i decided to pack my bags and go live somewhere else (and learn a new language) and make my "office" there.


9 months later, I am still here and don't want to have to move back to my old city (where our office is)


Since my work can be done 100percent virtual (except for maybe the odd conference or events once things open up).... do you think employers should force employees to go back to work?


ps i'm not saying they asked me yet...but I am terrified of the day when they do



🏡 WFH
📬 WR Feedback
🧠 Advice
9
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
3
SaaS Eater
Companies seem to have 2 schools of thought here.
1) lean all the way into WFH, set your employees up for success and recruit talent from everywhere without geographic constraints.

2) Orgs cant be as successful in a distributed model so everyone comes back once they can ask everyone back into the office without optical issues. 

I personally will never (I say this now) work for a company that makes me go into the office ever again. Why would I when there are plenty of other companies that will allow me to work remotely. It gives your employees the ability to have their cake and eat it too with career growth and lifestyle desires. 

I think it gets sticky when you start to have a hybrid model, its going to be really hard for someone to get promoted when they are fully remote and their peer is in office 3-5 days a week. I think orgs should choose one way or the other, and my preference is for full remote work. 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
2
🦊
There's no reason to go back. Times have changed. 
Madridgal
Executive
1
Manager Corporate Partnerships
I couldn't agree more!!! Plus I've been working over a year with this company - and 95 percent of the time I was at home (and in a different province).

Further to your point... i think when (if) I ever get asked back, then maybe it will be time to look for a new place 
CaneWolf
Politicker
0
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
FWIW, I got promoted in a remote role at a hybrid company.
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
1
SaaS Eater
Hell ya good for you. Did you get promoted during WFH or once transitioned to hybrid?
CaneWolf
Politicker
0
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
This was years ago. I was remote but most of the company was in one of a few office locations. I actually am potentially getting promoted in the next few months in a similar situation.
FamilyTruckster
Politicker
1
Exec Director, Major Accounts
Make it known that’s not your preference. Hopefully the company is listening. Should companies? It depends…
hh456
Celebrated Contributor
1
sales
Yes. I miss people. I’m lonely.
Madridgal
Executive
0
Manager Corporate Partnerships
we can have virtual meetings too! lol
hh456
Celebrated Contributor
0
sales
Not the same
CaneWolf
Politicker
2
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
It really fucking isn't the same. But I miss onsites/conferences way more than the office.
friendlyginge
Politicker
0
Account Executive
Me too! I don’t connect with people as well virtually. I feed off the energy of my surroundings
sir
Executive
1
SDR
I wouldn’t want to be forced into it, but I definitely enjoy going into the office whenever I can. Staying at home gets boring. However, it is quite relaxing as I’m able to sleep longer and do things like exercise, chores, etc. throughout the day when I’d normally be wasting my time scrolling through social media during my breaks in the office. But as a new SDR, it’s nice having your colleagues around you (unless they’re bad people) to socialize and ask lots of questions about the product and sales strategies.
Madridgal
Executive
1
Manager Corporate Partnerships
I agree with you completely - I also enjoy dressing up, going into the office, being social, etc. 

My problem is that I moved to a different province and I don't want to leave my job but i also dont want to leave my life here. TOUGH SPOT TO BE

Someone told me "don't let work get in the way of life" and I kind of like it
CaneWolf
Politicker
1
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
No, they shouldn't make people go back to the office but people should have the option to go to an office if they want to do so.
happyhunter
Politicker
1
spittin' sunshine
The startup I work for asked all of us to come back in starting Jauary so I have been fully in office ever since. I am new to sales so I am learning a lot more than when I was WFH but in my next opportunity I would prefer a hybrid model because going into the office day in and day out is killing my soul.
3

Should it be up to your employer to decided when people start coming back into the office?

Advice
7
6

If you’re working remote, will you ever want to go back to the office?

Question
10
7

Is making people go back into the office BS?

Question
12
Is making people go back into the office BS?
16% No
38% Yes
17% depends
29% hybrid is ok
82 people voted