Employees Don’t Want to Return to the Office, Why Not?

Summary

Employees are reluctant to return to the office due to the desire for autonomy, flexibility, and the avoidance of office politics, with many favoring the comfort and freedom of remote work.

Abstract

The article discusses the growing trend of employees resisting the return to traditional office environments, as highlighted by recent news reports. The author's wife expresses a common sentiment, questioning why anyone would endure the drawbacks of office work if not necessary. The author, drawing from personal experience as a security guard, emphasizes the discomfort of constant supervision and the appeal of working from home in one's own terms, such as choosing attire or taking breaks at will. The article also touches on the negative aspects of micro-management and the preference for autonomy and freedom from office politics. The author, who is on disability and considers writing and editing on Medium as his job, values the ability to work on his own schedule and the creative freedom it provides. The piece concludes by suggesting that employers should adapt to and profit from the shift towards remote work, as it reflects the changing preferences of the workforce.

Opinions

Office work often involves dealing with supervisors and co-workers, which can be unpleasant and restricting.
The idea of working from home, free from dress codes and with the ability to take breaks or run errands, is highly appealing.
Micro-management by supervisors is seen as a negative aspect of office work, with a preference for being left alone to complete tasks.
Office politics and back-stabbing are significant deterrents to the traditional office environment.
The sense of being one's own boss and the flexibility to work at one's own pace are key benefits of remote work.
The author values the freedom of working from home and believes that millions of office workers share this sentiment.
Employers are encouraged to embrace remote work and find ways to benefit from the trend, rather than resisting the shift.

Why put up with the nonsense?

I was watching the news on TV. When I saw another report on employees not wanting to return to work. This sparked a conversation with my wife.

“ I don’t blame them,” she said. I had to agree with her, why would anyone put up with that nonsense, if they didn’t have to. I never worked as an office worker, but I did work as a security guard.

Having someone looking over your shoulder isn't fun

I know what it’s like dealing with supervisors and co-workers. It’s not always fun. It would be nice to work at home in my pajamas, or naked if I felt like it.

It would be awesome to take naps, or go for a walk, or take my wife to lunch, or do anything else I wanted to do. As long as I got my work done, the boss would have nothing to complain about.

I like doing my job, and being left alone

I have had good Supervisors, and I have had bad Supervisors. The bad ones loved being in control. They would micro-manage every detail. I never could stand that.

When I was a security guard. I liked knowing my duties, and I liked being left alone, that’s why I always volunteered to work the midnight shift.

Who needs the back-stabbing and office politics?

People want to work without the hassle of having to deal with office politics and distractions. I don’t care how worker-friendly a job is. there’s nothing like the feeling of being your own boss while working at home.

I’m on Disability, but I consider writing and editing on Medium to be my job. I love editing articles on my schedule, and I enjoy writing as many articles as I want to, whenever I want to write them. I would never give that freedom up. Millions of office workers seem to feel the same way.

Employees Don’t Want to Return to the Office, Why Not?

Why put up with the nonsense?

Having someone looking over your shoulder isn't fun

I like doing my job, and being left alone

Who needs the back-stabbing and office politics?

Final thought: