Why are companies so obsessed with bringing employees back to the office?
Honestly, I don't understand these employers. Isn't it supposed to cost them more to have people come into the office every week? Doesn't it make more financial sense for most jobs to stay remote?
I mean, how is paying rent for office space, utilities, snacks, parking, security, and all that stuff better, when employees are already happier working from home? Especially after we proved that we can get the same amount of work done remotely, and maybe even more.
Remote roles also let them hire from a much larger pool instead of being limited to people who live close enough to commute. That seems like an obvious win.
Part of me feels like my company is pushing the return-to-office thing because they're waiting for some people to leave on their own. It's probably an easier way to reduce headcount without doing layoffs.
If companies want people back in the office, that's their choice, but employees also have the choice to look for companies that offer the flexibility they actually want. Honestly, this is one of the reasons I'm starting to quietly look at other remote opportunities because it will be hard for someone who has been working remotely for years to return back to office. If I do start interviewing, I'm planning to use Interview VIP tool to help me stay confident, organize my answers, and explain why I'm looking for a new role without sounding negative about my current employer.