Erica Keswin’s Post

“For us, and for many CEOs at this time, bringing everyone back fully [to the office] would be so disruptive—not just to the company, but to employees’ lives as well.” That’s the Calm CEO, David Ko who is clearly practicing his company’s values of High EQ and Results Focused. Because let’s be honest, as tempting as it may be to go the way of Amazon and order everyone back in the office full time (hello, proximity bias), it’s not one size fits all. In a lot of cases, knowledge workers don’t need to be in the office five days a week. They can get the same results (or better) in a hybrid or remote set up. Since the pandemic, the ability to work from home added millions of people (including those with disabilities and mothers of young children) to the workforce. So if companies take away flexibility, they will likely make work harder (or impossible) for certain demographics. (Not to mention their best performers may leave for something more flexible.) Leaders who are committed to inclusion should take note and continue to prioritize and expand flexibility. For more on this, check out the second chapter of my book, The Retention Revolution. Full piece from Vanessa Fuhrmans, Katherine Bindley, and Chip Cutter for the The Wall Street Journal here: https://lnkd.in/eXbZAU2v

Amazon might want (desk) staff back in the office full time, but "Prof Bloom, from Stanford University, said he did not think the announcements were a sign of a wider shift in work policies, noting that his data has found time spent at the office has been fairly stable for more than a year." So it seems that there is more reporting of companies that are ditching the hybrid model than those maintaining or expanding it. In my opinion, it all comes down to the numbers. If you're productive and it shows in the data, that's all that counts. Not the location, just the outputs. https://lnkd.in/dU9UNmbe #employeeengagement #leadership #hr #employeeexperience #humanresources #business #employeeappreciation #companyculture #management #culture #employeewellbeing #teamwork #teambuilding #motivation

CEO of Amazon vs UK Secretary of State for Business on who knows more about how to grow a business. Not sure it's ignoring the evidence to listen to the 2nd richest person in the world... it is just possible that Bezos knows what he's talking about. The scientific evidence, in so much as there are robust studies, suggests that hybrid working is better for both productivity and mental health than either full time in the office or full time WFH. Even if Bezos is wrong, why the need to legislate? Why not let business leaders and white collar employees work it out for themselves? #followthemoney Amazon ‘ignoring evidence’ by ending WFH, says business secretary

The process of gradual acclimation is called "Boiling the Frog". Forbes: "Why Amazon’s Return To Office Mandate Is A Warning For The Future Of Work" (Ann Kowal Smith) (excerpt): "Amazon CEO Andy Jassy last week called all of the company’s employees back to the office five days a week, part of an effort to preserve the company’s culture and return to a pre-Covid reality. By clawing back the pre-pandemic era, Jassy reminded the world that companies have officially regained the upper hand — hiring, firing and changing the rules at will. And Amazon has certainly flexed that power, laying off more 27,000 of its workers since 2022 and now rescinding flexibility for the rest. Amazon’s decision isn’t just another episode in the return-to-work soap opera. It’s actually the canary in the coal mine for a dangerous problem. The relationship between employers and employees has become one based on power, not mutual respect and collaboration. And that’s seriously eroding trust, which drives engagement, loyalty, belonging and performance. And leaders know this full well. PWC’s Trust Survey found that 93% of business executives say building and maintaining trust is critical to the bottom line. Yet only 23% of employees trust their company leaders to do the right thing. And 40% of employees don’t feel trusted by their leaders. Little wonder with so many companies using surveillance devices to measure keystrokes, police attendance and test loyalty. This is a far cry from the pandemic-promised “new normal”. We imagined a place where productivity and flexibility worked hand in glove, where employees could learn, grow and collaborate in innovative new ways–together. But this vision has stalled–with whiplash-level force. Through the lens of Amazon’s actions, the workplace looks more like Game of Thrones: a battle to control and conquer rather than create a community of collaborative colleagues. Here are three ways we’re all going to lose if the battle continues." "1. Work Becomes A Transaction 2. The Workplace Social Contract Dies 3. Workplace Culture Becomes A Weapon" "The Amazon decision clearly signals the where-we-work conversation is not over. And although Amazon may have broken from the tech pack, we will now see other companies (tech and beyond) following suit with RTO orders. The only thing we know for sure is that the pendulum keeps swinging. When the economy gets tough, companies win the throne. In boom times, employees wrestle it back. And trust takes a hit every time. The future of work depends on putting away the sword and picking up the social contract." (keep reading) Forbes: https://lnkd.in/gePfnEnT ----- Reuters: "Amazon CEO denies full in-office mandate is 'backdoor layoff' --Amazon's plan mandates five-day in-office work starting next year --CEO Jassy denies plan is a backdoor layoff or city deal --Employees express concerns over commuting and efficiency" Reuters: https://lnkd.in/gmaT5cYq #rto #returntooffice #rtw #returntowork #amazon

An interesting story on return to office mandates and the changing nature of the workforce expectations. This and other stories of a similar nature, seems to indicate a workforce that has evolved from the traditional office based one, and the gap between them and business leaders who are still entrenched in the office culture. Only time will tell which culture will become the "norm" ..until the next cultural shift occurs. What are your thoughts? #pmandre #workplaceculture #returntooffice #amazon

Amazon Ends Work-from-Home Policy Amazon has recently announced a significant change to its work policy, requiring employees to return to the office five days a week starting January 2025. This decision marks the end of the hybrid work model that allowed employees to work from home two days a week. According to CEO Andy Jassy, this move aims to strengthen Amazon’s culture and enhance collaboration, innovation, and connectivity among team members. While this change has sparked varied reactions, it underscores the company’s commitment to maintaining a dynamic and cohesive work environment. As we navigate these evolving work landscapes, it’s crucial to reflect on how such shifts impact employee well-being, productivity, and overall company culture. What are your thoughts on this transition? How do you think it will shape the future of work at Amazon and beyond? #WorkFromHome #OfficeCulture #Amazon #RemoteWork #FutureOfWork

A recent KPMG survey reveals that nearly 80% of U.S. CEOs now expect their employees to return to the office full-time within the next three years. This is a major shift from earlier predictions that hybrid models would continue. 🌐 Just this week (Sept 16), Amazon’s CEO Andy Jassy made headlines by requiring employees to return to the office full-time. This has caused quite a stir among employees. He follows Elon Musk, who already mandated the same for X employees. Most companies bringing staff back have capped it at 3-4 days a week, making Amazon and X stand out as exceptions. So, has the 4.5-year remote work experiment run its course? Has collaboration and company culture faded enough to justify these moves? Or are these mandates a subtle way to reduce headcount without formal layoffs? The rationale behind these decisions is crucial. Companies built around remote teams thrive with employees spread across various locations and time zones. I’ve seen this success firsthand. For many, remote work is a strategic advantage, allowing teams to operate locally in multiple regions and across different time zones. Now, it will be interesting to see how Amazon’s workforce reacts. Will top performers stay, embracing the opportunity for in-office collaboration and growth? Or will they leave? prioritizing flexibility over being part of a company ranked #2 on the Fortune 500? https://lnkd.in/gQBk_GQF

Stirlingshire's Commitment to Flexibility in a Shifting Workplace Landscape Amazon’s recent decision to require corporate employees to return to the office five days a week signals a potential shift in workplace expectations that may be adopted by other professional industries. While this decision may align with Amazon’s operating model, at Stirlingshire, we do not see a full return to the office as a necessary step to ensure success or productivity. In the finance industry, there has long been an expectation that advisors not only work from the office but also commit to grueling schedules, often exceeding 80 hours per week to be considered successful. This approach, while traditional, can contribute significantly to employee burnout. Burnout is not solely caused by workload but by the cumulative effect of long commutes, extended hours in artificial environments, and the inability to manage work-life balance around personal commitments. At Stirlingshire, we offer a 100% work-from-anywhere model, allowing our advisors to work from any location with an internet connection. This flexibility empowers our team to create a healthier balance between professional demands and personal responsibilities, ultimately enhancing well-being, engagement, and productivity. Interested in joining our team? We're #hiring Learn more: www.stirlingshire.com #WorkFromAnywhere #RemoteWork #FlexibleWorkplace #FinancialAdvisors #EmployeeWellbeing #Stirlingshire Amazon calls all corporate employees back to the office: https://lnkd.in/gWTJdC8Z

Amazon’s recent decision to bring workers back to the office five days a week has sparked renewed conversations about the value of in-person work. Business Insider reached out to me to share my thoughts on why this move can be particularly beneficial for younger employees, especially Gen Z. In my experience, “business happens in the hallways, parking lots, and after hours.” These informal moments offer invaluable opportunities for mentorship, learning, and career growth. However, younger workers have missed out on this due to remote work, losing the chance for those day-to-day conversations and storytelling that naturally pass wisdom from one generation to the next. As more employers reassert the importance of office presence, it’s crucial to remember how vital these organic moments are for professional development. Check out the full article for more insights: https://lnkd.in/eezzBzES #Leadership #Mentorship #BusinessGrowth #GenZ #PZIGroup #CareerDevelopment #BusinessInsider #FutureOfWork #Amazon

I think more companies will start pushing for people to come back to the office to try and curb a drop in productivity. While working from home has its perks, some businesses are finding it harder to keep everyone on the same page and maintain good teamwork. It’ll be interesting to see how they balance the need for office time with the flexibility people have gotten used to. Amazon leading the way, they will no doubt see some push back.