A Petition To Restore The Work/Life Balance to Work From Home

It's wild how far the pendulum has swung back towards WFO since 2022. I remember everyone talking about how it was a worker's world now, and employers were being forced to work on our terms (which included substantial WFH). I've been fortunate not to have to return to the office. But in my case it's because I have been trying to retire for a few years now so I keep telling potential employers that I am not interested in working for them. Eventually we do come to a part time arrangement which includes WFH. My situation is quite unique though, so if I wasn't trying to retire then I would be forced back to the office as well.

I've been working from home since 2012. This was a requirement at the time. Though I would go into the office weekly. Covid happened, then there was no office. Suddenly, they want us all in the office after a new VP and directors from the US offices were brought in. People with no insight. I'm of the opinion if it ain't broke don't fix it. People in the fraser Valley didnt need to be in downtown. Now it's disrupting people's lives, all for what. The previous workplace structure had nothing to do with in person collabs and still doesnt, and it's not like they schedule everyone's breaks and meetings at the same time, so its not even necessary. Even lower and middle management hate this, and some are even looking the other way if a worker jams the doors and breaking the scanner so they don't track who's late or on time. It's creating a whole other problem..

lukom said: I've been working from home since 2012. This was a requirement at the time. Though I would go into the office weekly. Covid happened, then there was no office. Suddenly, they want us all in the office after a new VP and directors from the US offices were brought in. People with no insight. I'm of the opinion if it ain't broke don't fix it. People in the fraser Valley didnt need to be in downtown. Now it's disrupting people's lives, all for what. The previous workplace structure had nothing to do with in person collabs and still doesnt, and it's not like they schedule everyone's breaks and meetings at the same time, so its not even necessary. Even lower and middle management hate this, and some are even looking the other way if a worker jams the doors and breaking the scanner so they don't track who's late or on time. It's creating a whole other problem.. Click to expand... Employers are spending a fortune on legal fees to fight WFH. Some employees moved cities to work remotely and are now being asked to return at a significant cost. Some contracts were remote to begin with and employers are trying to renege on those terms. Then you have the unions fighting return to office mandates too. I wonder how this will inpact employee morale... hmm... it will go straight into the shitter, but employers dont care, theyd rather fire them and go through that hassle than become more modern to attract top talent.

Bang4thebuck said: Employers are spending a fortune on legal fees to fight WFH. Some employees moved cities to work remotely and are now being asked to return at a significant cost. Some contracts were remote to begin with and employers are trying to renege on those terms. Then you have the unions fighting return to office mandates too. I wonder how this will inpact employee morale... hmm... it will go straight into the shitter, but employers dont care, theyd rather fire them and go through that hassle than become more modern to attract top talent. Click to expand... Well, let's just say someone found little baggies of a substance in the elevator, presumably dropped in error. They took a pic and shared it with the union.

lukom said: I've been working from home since 2012. This was a requirement at the time. Though I would go into the office weekly. Covid happened, then there was no office. Suddenly, they want us all in the office after a new VP and directors from the US offices were brought in. People with no insight. I'm of the opinion if it ain't broke don't fix it. People in the fraser Valley didnt need to be in downtown. Now it's disrupting people's lives, all for what. The previous workplace structure had nothing to do with in person collabs and still doesnt, and it's not like they schedule everyone's breaks and meetings at the same time, so its not even necessary. Even lower and middle management hate this, and some are even looking the other way if a worker jams the doors and breaking the scanner so they don't track who's late or on time. It's creating a whole other problem.. Click to expand... Yeah, I've encountered the whole "new area manager etc. making changes just because" scenario a few times. Always ends up costing the company more $ and disrupting/cratering morale.

Larry's Torch said: Yeah, I've encountered the whole "new area manager etc. making changes just because" scenario a few times. Always ends up costing the company more $ and disrupting/cratering morale. Click to expand... Yeah I'm basically doing less work in the office and finding myself taking the full length of my breaks, full length bathroom breaks. Calling in sick, when sick...etc

lukom said: Yeah I'm basically doing less work in the office and finding myself taking the full length of my breaks, full length bathroom breaks. Calling in sick, when sick...etc Click to expand... Yup, the reality is many people dont give a shit about their jobs. If theyre making the medium bucks in an office and theyre being forced to RTO theyre not going to be happy about it. My friends who are in that position show up late for work, take all their breaks, chit chat at the office, work slow, and leave early. The management is having a hard time as so many people are doing the same.

Bang4thebuck said: Yup, the reality is many people dont give a shit about their jobs. If theyre making the medium bucks in an office and theyre being forced to RTO theyre not going to be happy about it. My friends who are in that position show up late for work, take all their breaks, chit chat at the office, work slow, and leave early. The management is having a hard time as so many people are doing the same. Click to expand... They're basically burning their companies to the ground and they're blaming every other factor except for RTO.