As companies continue to recover from the pandemic-induced economic downturn, many are beginning to call their employees back to the office. Among them are high-profile firms such as Amazon, Starbucks, and Walt Disney, which have all announced plans to require employees to return to the office in 2023. Some firms are even mandating workers to come in four days a week, as with Snap Inc., or at least three days a week, as with Amazon and Walmart.
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has been particularly vocal in his opposition to remote work, stating that it “doesn’t work” for managers or younger staff. Other executives have cited the importance of collaboration, creativity, and corporate culture as reasons for returning to the office. There is also speculation that some companies may be motivated by the desire to maintain corporate tax breaks.
Despite the push to bring workers back to the office, there has been some resistance. General Motors’ announcement that employees would be required to report to the office three days a week was met with criticism, with many employees feeling caught off guard. Meanwhile, News Corp. has encouraged workers to return to the office but has not specified exactly how many days they are expected to show up.
The shift back to the office is occurring amid a second wave of layoffs, with companies like Meta Platforms Inc. and Snap Inc. both announcing plans to cut thousands of jobs. Nonetheless, many firms are emphasizing the importance of in-person collaboration and communication. As companies continue to navigate the challenges of the post-pandemic world, it remains to be seen whether the push to return to the office will be successful or met with further resistance.
