Remote Work is Pandora's Box

Since the “end of the pandemic”, the return to office is a big topic amongst those that worked from home during the pandemic.

Companies have been nice about going back to office (come back and enjoy the amenities), not so nice (you must be in office 3 days a week), and starting to get mean (you’re fired when you’re not in the office!)

Remember there was a time when your company put a statement at the beginning of the pandemic that always started like:

Out of an abundance of caution…

(Actually, every single company said that 😒)

Didn’t that message feel good? Like, the company cared for you!

With return to office mandates ranging the whole gamut of nice to mean, a company’s true color shines.

It’s not pretty, is it??

The funniest thing - because everyone learned to work remotely - everyone has that skill.

Asking employees with these skills to go back to the office, well, it’s like forced to walk to school after biking to school for a year. Yes, you can walk - after experiencing the bike, why would you ever walk?!

For everyone that’s returning to office - I feel for you, because the trust you have in your company is effectively destroyed.

For every company wanting employees back - I feel for you too, because you really want people back in office for a myriad of reasons. You’re a major reason why this situation exists.

For every remote company that’s still remote - I applaud you for showing work style leadership.

Once the remote skill escaped pandora’s box - there’s no putting it back.

I’m excited for what’s next for the future of work and technology. If we did work that well remotely, what will happen next?!