ADRIAN WOOLDRIDGE: The return-to-office war

The masks are coming off. Restaurants are filling up. International travel is resuming. But one thing is missing from this picture of returning normality: the rows of office workers bent over their desks. Just over two months ago, I wrote that returning to the office was the great class struggle of our time. I’m happy to report that, so far at least, the workers are winning.

Employers are making more liberal use of carrots and sticks to overcome this resistance. Returning workers are greeted with drinks parties, swag bags, complimentary classes and lots of happy talk about how the office should be fun. Alphabet’s Google treated its staff to a concert by Lizzo. Microsoft throws parties with local musical talent. Qualcomm puts on fitness classes for workers in the office. It’s a wonder that anybody can get any work done.

Yet bullying is no more likely than bribery to be successful in today’s tight labour market. The only chance that employers have of winning the class struggle and restoring the ancient regime before the pandemic is if they band together to force employees back to the office. But absent such a grand capitalist conspiracy, employees will vote with their feet and clever employers will use flexibility as a recruitment tool.

But so far none of these explanations is completely convincing: In America, restaurant reservations and seat occupancy rates on aeroplanes have reached 90% of their pre-pandemic levels while Britain saw a mass exodus from the country at Easter. The real reason people don’t want to go back to the office full time is that they don’t see the point. Most knowledge workers think that they can do their job just as well from home — and they can point to endless figures that show that they are right.

South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

ADRIAN WOOLDRIDGE: The return-to-office warThe clash between workers and employees over returning to work is more than just a struggle over commuting and convenience
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »

ADRIAN WOOLDRIDGE: The return-to-office warThe clash between workers and employees over returning to work is more than just a struggle over commuting and convenience
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »

Return-to-office is driving Gen Z to quit | BusinessinsiderCompanies who are demanding workers back at the office every day may actually see their workers join the Great Resignation instead. It may especially be a challenge to get Gen Z workers to work in person all the time.
Source: BISouthAfrica - 🏆 34. / 51 Read more »

As South Africans head back to the office, admin staff, receptionists, and assistants are in demand | BusinessinsiderSouth African companies are hiring admin clerks, receptionists, personal assistants, and human resources (HR) personnel as offices wake from a two-year slumber caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Source: BISouthAfrica - 🏆 34. / 51 Read more »

10 jobs which offer the most work-from-home options in South Africa right nowProperty data from FNB shows that a significant number of South Africa’s offices are standing empty, despite the lifting of almost all lockdown restrictions and calls for a return to work.
Source: BusinessTechSA - 🏆 24. / 61 Read more »

WILLIAM GUMEDE | On Russia, SA is its own worst enemyUnlike its Brics partners, the ANC government has backed the Ukraine war aggressor while getting nothing in return Russia is us, and we are Russia
Source: SundayTimesZA - 🏆 47. / 51 Read more »