I read an article this morning about the mass plan to bring workers back into the Seattle core.
I enjoyed working from home. When I first experienced it, I loved it because the flexibility felt refreshing. But it didn’t last very long for me. After a year in 2021, I was back in the office. At first, I told myself I was more productive that way and I think I was because truth be told, I think I would’ve found myself doing house chores or something instead of doing work.
Then I started hearing stories from past colleagues and friends about their “over-employment.” People quietly stacking multiple full-time jobs while working from home. At first, I thought it was kinda crazy. I was even a little envious, since I never had that chance. Work two jobs within 8 or 10 hours or something and get double the income?! Wild. I’m in management , so doubling up wasn’t an option. I don’t even have enough hours in the day to do my one job.
But over time, I came to disagree with overemployment as a leader. If I pay you to do a job during specific hours. And you choose to work another job during those same overlapping hours I’m paying for… that’s theft.
The real turning point for me happened just a few months ago. I was at Westfield mall on my day off, and I ran into our SAP admin team. They froze when they saw me. At first, I didn’t even realize and greeted them casually. Then it hit me – both of them were supposed to be on call and it wasn’t even 4 p.m. yet! They had shopping bags and frappuccinos stacked to their elbows. Bro. Wtf.
The next day, after some debate with myself about whether to bring it up, I did. They apologized. That’s when I did a very unpopular thing that pissed off so many people. I implemented Viva Insights.
Personally I couldn’t take advantage that way even though I can. I get where business owners are coming from with this take. For every employee who genuinely does their work at home, there are a few who take advantage. And those few are a liability I can’t afford. They impact performance, margins, and trust. So yes, I’m all for return to office. It’s not about culture or efficiency. I’m not trying to take anyone away from their family time due to commuting. It’s about accountability. A few bad actors ruined the game, and for me, that’s enough reason to say: back to the office we go!
No one’s too good for public transit
January 17, 2025