this post was submitted on 29 Dec 2023
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Work Reform
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A place to discuss positive changes that can make work more equitable, and to vent about current practices. We are NOT against work; we just want the fruits of our labor to be recognized better.
Our Philosophies:
- All workers must be paid a living wage for their labor.
- Income inequality is the main cause of lower living standards.
- Workers must join together and fight back for what is rightfully theirs.
- We must not be divided and conquered. Workers gain the most when they focus on unifying issues.
Our Goals
- Higher wages for underpaid workers.
- Better worker representation, including but not limited to unions.
- Better and fewer working hours.
- Stimulating a massive wave of worker organizing in the United States and beyond.
- Organizing and supporting political causes and campaigns that put workers first.
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CEOs won't admit anything. We had some downsizing over the pandemic but they still want us in the office while claiming that we all miss the "magic meeting in an elevator/hallway moments" and that supposedly collaboration is greatly enhanced. Meanwhile when asked if we'd have adequate facilities, there was a pause before being told an empty "...yes". So what are the adequate facilities? Open spaces and unassigned seating so you don't know where you'll be sitting the next day. Instead of a well-furnished home office with peace and quiet, I will get to enjoy a spartan open space with many distractions.
Real estate prices has been mentioned as a reason for CEOs to do this and I'm sure that plays a part since they're often invested in such things, but also, it's likely a way to get people to quit so that they don't have to have formal layoffs.
I hope this is isn't seen as derailing the subject at hand, but just out of curiosity, what do you consider a well furnished home office?
Not the original commenter, but for me it's a comfortable chair, desk, and computer set up in a quiet room with a door I can close. Nice speakers and/or headphones and a small couch are a plus.
those are more challenging to source than mattresses, just being willing to spend money alone isn't sufficient.
It took a couple shots for me, but I found a chair that seems to be perfectly suited to my body and the level of support I need. As an added bonus, it wasn't even that expensive.
A private office with a comfortable chair, a large desk, multiple monitors, and all the equipment I need within reach and always hooked up or within cabinets that only I have access to. Instead they're providing an open space with no privacy (i.e. full of distractions), shared tables, a single monitor (or using the laptop screen), and shared equipment. Their chairs are comfortable though.
My home office is an oasis compared to any company supplied office that I've ever had. 100% climate control. A desk that is 100% the size and layout that I want. Perfect office computer chair, finely dialed in. A decorative environment that is perfectly to my taste, no expense spared, that wasn't subject to anyone else's scrutiny or opinions. Private bathroom. Hell there's even a bed in my office, used for micro naps when needed, but don't tell the Boomers that. They might spontaneously combust in outrage.
I love leaving my standing desk and ergonomic equipment behind so that I can use objectively worse equipment with the promise that "renovations are coming to your team in the next few years." My boss hunts for open seating in the neighboring office building so that they can actually use a standing desk on the days we have to come in, which is antithetical to the "spirit of collaboration" RTO is supposed to foster.
Like either let us use our own setup or invest in an office setup that is tolerable for people to use. We all know that they don't give a shit about employees, but they could at least pretend they're considering our experience when forcing these decisions on us.
It's not mainly "corporate real estate" or "getting people to quit" that motivates CEOs. Regardless of what your personal experience, CEOs do not own the building or want to spend money on hiring. They legitimately think that "meeting in the hallway" is a good idea because that's the only time they spend listening to the little people.
You know that you can just ask someone for info like a normal person, but they are legitimately isolated. Many people freeze up if they get a call, email, Slack message, whatever from the Executive Team. CEOs need leadership training to manage remote workers.
CEOs were already well-detached from reality before the pandemic started and before internet got good enough to allow for a lot of people to work from home. People are just as likely to freeze up seeing the CEO in person.