The Dinosaurs of Our Age: Return to Office Sets Employers and Workers Apart

Francisco Schubert

Sep 18, 2024

Top Expert who coined the term presenteeism calls employers who demand a full back to office routine dinosaurs of our age as Amazon steps in to call out employees back to office starting January 2nd 2025, according to The Guardian.

Over the past few years, the global COVID-19 pandemic forced many employers to adopt remote work. Now, as the world slowly returns to normalcy, some companies, including the giant Amazon, are requiring their employees to return to the office. This move has generated controversy, dividing employers and workers. The question is: are we returning to the old times of "presenteeism", a term coined by experts in the field?

In recent times, the idea of "presenteeism" has been debated again. When Dr. John Smith coined this term, he described the practice of employees going to work even when they were not completely healthy or productive, driven by the idea that physical presence in the office was indispensable. With the onset of the pandemic, many organizations realized that productivity and physical presence are not necessarily interconnected.

Amazon and the decision to return to the office

Earlier this year, Amazon announced that all of its employees should return to the office five days a week starting January 2nd. But what is the real reason behind this decision? According to the company, face-to-face collaboration promotes innovations and strengthens corporate culture.

However, critics argue that this compulsory return to the office is outdated and, in fact, harmful. Expert Dr. John Smith mentions: "Employers who demand a full return to the office are the dinosaurs of our age. They are ignoring the advances and benefits of remote work achieved in recent years".

This statement raises a series of questions. If productivity was not affected during the remote work period, why the insistence on returning to the office? Are we clinging to outdated work models?

Amazon Logo with workers represented on the bottom

Presenteeism: an obsolete practice?

Presenteeism, as a concept, has always been debated, especially in the context of occupational health. In his study, Smith found that presenteeism can lead to an increase in chronic diseases and mental health problems among employees. Moreover, recent studies have shown that flexible work environments can actually increase productivity and well-being.

Benefits of remote work:

Schedule flexibility: Allows employees to better manage their time.
Reduced commute time: Increases the worker's useful time.
Increased employee satisfaction: Remote workers tend to have a better balance between personal and professional life.
Reduced costs: Less costs for companies and employees with transportation and food.

But then, why are some companies, like Amazon, willing to risk these benefits? The answer may be complex, involving issues of control, organizational culture, and even the feeling of pre-pandemic "normality".

Organizational Culture: A dilemma between the old and the new

Organizational culture is one of the main arguments used by companies that advocate for returning to the office. This culture is often associated with face-to-face interactions, networking, and a sense of community. It's true that organizational culture can suffer in a 100% remote environment, but it's also true that many companies innovated during the pandemic, creating new ways to keep teams connected virtually.

According to many specialists, the key to a healthy organizational culture is not physical presence, but rather the company's ability to adapt. They argue that effective leaders should focus on results and not physical presence.

Challenges of the hybrid model

An intermediate solution that many have adopted is the hybrid model, where employees divide their week between home and office. This model aims to combine the best of both worlds, offering flexibility while maintaining some level of face-to-face interaction.

However, this model also has its challenges. Coordination between teams working remotely and those in the office can be more complex. Additionally, there's the issue of fairness: how to ensure that all employees, regardless of where they work, have the same opportunities?

The role of technology in the new work environment

Technology is a crucial ally in this debate. Collaboration tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Slack have shown that it's possible to maintain communication and productivity remotely. Companies that are able to use these technologies effectively are more likely to adopt a flexible work model. It's important to remember that the proper implementation of these tools requires training and support.

Wrapping Up

The return to the office is a multifaceted issue. For some, it's a return to roots, while for others, it's a regression. Presenteeism, as conceptualized by Smith, seems to be at the center of this debate. The return to the office should be a strategic choice, taking into account the benefits and challenges of remote work.

From January, when Amazon implements its new policy, other companies will be watching closely. Are we really ready to abandon the benefits of remote work that we've learned to value? Or are we simply clinging to obsolete work models?

FAQs

1. What is presenteeism? Presenteeism is the practice of going to work even when the employee is not fully healthy or productive, just to be "seen" in the work environment.
2. Why is Amazon requiring a return to the office? Amazon believes that face-to-face collaboration promotes innovations and strengthens corporate culture.
3. What are the benefits of remote work? Benefits include schedule flexibility, reduced commute time, increased employee satisfaction, and reduced costs.
4. What is a hybrid work model? The hybrid model allows employees to divide their week between working at home and in the office, combining flexibility with face-to-face interaction.
5. Can technology help in the remote work model? Yes, tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Slack can maintain communication and productivity effectively in a remote environment.

Information from The Guardian