As the pandemic winds down (it is, right?), persons who worked from home are returning to their original office locations. Big companies like JPMorganChase are starting to make it real.
Jamie Dimon, CEO/Chairman of JPMorganChase has made his intentions clear: “I’m about to cancel all my Zoom meetings. I’m done with it.”
“Get your WFH candy asses back to work. Yes, you have to commute. And, have a blessed day.”
This sentiment, it is time to go back to work, is becoming more prevalent.
Dimon, speaking at The Wall Street Journal CEO Council, went on to say, “We want people back to work, and my view is that sometime in September, October it will look just like it did before. And everyone is going to be happy with it, and yes, the commute, you know people don’t like commuting, but so what.”
I had to go back and check that quote a couple of times to make sure that I got it right. Dimon may not be a charm school graduate, but he is clear on it.
So what happens now, Big Red Car?
I think people are tired of the whole WFH shtick, but not everybody.
If you are a worker, you see the whole WFH thing through a different lens than if you are a boss. Sort of like this:
1. Getting up to “go to work” is just guidance when you WFH. You can sleep in a few days and then “work late.” Haha. Work late?
Of course, you religiously keep track of the time and make sure you give the company it’s full 4 hours daily, right? Maybe a little less because you have to check social media.
Not the end of the day to take a Friday off, half day a Wednesday, or to WFH from the beach, right?
2. No bloody commute is pretty damn sweet and enticing, eh, Big Red Car?
Who doesn’t love not commuting a couple of hours a day and not driving, busing, subwaying, or dealing with the freaking weather and the unwashed masses?
The cost savings of no commute? Yes!
3. Who gets dressed up, puts on their makeup anymore? Nobody. Some days when there is a Zoom conference maybe you do, but most days?
Again, cost savings, come here, you little rascal.
4. Meals have become fully integrated with work. They are seamless.
Of course there is the Pandemic Poundage — the 20 lbs from the Pandemic. So, there has to be regular exercise. And you have to exercise when you feel like it.
Sometimes, work gets in the way and you know how that conflict gets resolved, eh?
Less eating out, fewer happy hours? Cost savings.
5. WFH and travel? Haha. No travel when WFHing. Sorry.
Apparently, this has really irked Jamie Dimon who claims his bank lost business because competitors called in person on some prospects. Oh, no, Jamie!
6. Errands — like getting groceries or a Starbucks — have become hopelessly intertwined with work. They are essential, right? You can still wear sweats.
7. On line shopping for groceries and Amazon 24/7 is pretty cool, right? I love that Irish blue cheese, you?
I am sure I have missed a few, but you get the right idea. It can be pretty damn sweet to WFH, but like Jamie Dimon said, “That nonsense is over.”
So, what’s the point, Big Red Car?
The point, dear CEO and manager of persons, is this: Lots of folks are not going to be enthusiastic about this “new” old arrangement — coming to the office every day.
Some clever CEOs are trying to make a smooth transition by going WFH X 2 days a week and work from the office 3 days a week. In this manner, the transition is not as stark.
Other CEOs have not yet felt the full impact of this impending or real change, but know this — you will see a lot of tardiness, a lot of yawns as folks are not going to be enthusiastic about this change. Lots of entitlement out there.
Who knew how much everybody loved the Pandemic? [This is a pathetic attempt at irony. Not to make slight of the bloody Pandemic.]
Bottom line it, Big Red Car — headed to Starbucks
OK, dear reader, here it is: It is going to be very dicey to bring your employees back into the discipline of the office once again because they have gotten quite used to the more relaxed WFH arrangement.
Know this. Understand this. Be prepared to deal with this.
Take your time and work through this. Don’t worry, guys like Jamie Dimon will run interference for you.
It is time to go back to work, America. Or, is it? We shall see.
But, hey, what the Hell do I really know anyway? I’m a WFH Big Red Car. Play nice, y’all.
