#returntooffice

I know this has been beaten to the ground but I'm venting and am questioning how harshly anyone is even paying attention to RTO...

I'm so tired of driving a solid hour to the office every single day, wasting gas and paying $20 a week on TOLLS only to be there for a few hours... With ONE other person on my team. I'm spending about $100 a week just to go to work and sit on fkn virtual calls I can do at home while dealing with dogshit WiFi. If I lived 15 mins away I wouldn't care about it tbh; but I drive 80 miles a day + gas + tolls + unnecessary car mileage to do sh-t I can do at home.

I took my computer to tech central last week because I hadn't used it in years - a test machine - and they told me Dell took all the LAN wires, switches and routers out for LAN connectivity as they never planned on having anyone RTO... Yet, here we are.

Being forced to work in half baked offices with not enough docks or desks, being forced to park half a mile away from your building, INSANE cafe prices for food that is sub-par at best - and most is bought from freakin HEB (grocery store) lol.. all while raises are comical and promotions are non existent.

I love my job and unfortunately rely on those paychecks so, I'll be a good peon and go in

did anyone fill out the RTO survey yet?

I am also curious what you all think… do you feel our feedback will actually be taken seriously? I am wondering how much impact it might have.

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Remember folks, there is no such thing as loyalty in Corporate America for its customers, workers, or even its brand: just the shareholders. Our salaries are only based on how hard it is to replace us and with AI and increased offshoring we are seen more as a burden and expense than as an asset. Ive been with this company for 25+ years. When I started it was preached that the lower pay was because the company was a place where if you worked hard, they would invest in your development, you can advance, and your job security was pretty high because where we like a family. That was true for the first 15 years of my career here, the workplace culture was excellent. That drastically changed since the end of the pandemic. Im hoping to make it a few more years before a RIF so I can just retire. I feel bad for those having to deal with this here or any major company in the United States. Get ready for two major items in the next 6 months: Major RIFs/layoffs and a full return to office mandate. If you don't come back to the office because you believed the company a few years ago about living wherever you wanted and being able to work or work life balance, you might want to start looking for a new job/career now. If you are an office or hybrid worker, new tech is coming to help HR track you better even if your manager is located in a completely different office or continent. AI is getting better and offshoring is increasing. The talk about doing the "right thing" has been stifled if it does not align with the new "model." The only thing that will make this company improve its workers culture is if the economy, job markets, and competition improve, and until there is a new administration, I doubt that will happen.

Parking at the Plano locations has gotten so bad, the police are starting to write tickets and tow cars. If you get to work after 8:30, forget about it. If you leave for lunch, forget about it when you come back. Your only option is a park & ride lot over 2 miles away. At least the company runs a shuttle back and forth all day.

ENGINE only need to work 2 or 3 days in office.

Maybe their pay should be reduced, since the rest of the company now it’s required to work 4x days?

does WF have enough space? Our location is quite crowded already.

https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-is-planning-a-big-return-to-office-rto-push-2025-12

For the employees located in South Jersey/Burlington who have been working from home the last 6 weeks due to renovations to make room for CFS in July, how is everyone feeling going back in tomorrow? I am not going to lie, dreading it.. Not only just the mere fact of going back into the office after being in a better place mentally from WFH, but like alot of people, seating arrangements are not great, alot doesn't make sense, I feel like it will be just another giant cluster*u-k.. I know we should be grateful about having a job, but I know plenty of people that are wishing they were one of the ones laid off--all we can hope for is that another round comes in the summer..

So you're mandated to go into the office and you don't have assigned seats? I saw someone say they have to go in before 7am in order to get a seat? Diabolical.

Supposedly anyone within 25 miles of any office. Good luck.

As much as people are fighting it now, the reality is we'll adapt. We always do. The strong feelings about WFH will soften, and showing up at the office will go back to being the unremarkable default. It's inevitable. Sad but very much true.

CEO:
Good afternoon, Team. I want to thank the 11 of you who were able to join this mandatory town hall on such short notice. We scheduled this meeting early and during your daily commute time so you would be more productive and there would be less chance you might attend. Your presence today demonstrates your commitment to our shared vision of Transformative Workforce Realignment™.

Before we begin, I want to address the rumors circulating online.
No, we are not conducting layoffs.
We are simply rebalancing our talent ecosystem through a series of performance‑aligned, location‑optimized, AI‑enhanced workforce transitions.

Let me explain.

“1. We Are Not Downsizing — We Are Rightsizing”

Some of you may have noticed that your colleagues have… disappeared.
This is not a layoff.
This is Strategic Talent Migration™.

We are migrating talent out of the company and into the broader economy, where they can pursue exciting new opportunities that we have thoughtfully curated by eliminating their roles.
This is what leadership looks like.

“2. Your Performance Rating Is Not About You”
You may have recently received a performance rating that surprised you.
Perhaps you were rated “Exceeds Expectations” for 14 consecutive years and suddenly received “Needs Immediate Intervention.”
Let me be clear:
This is not a reflection of your performance.
This is a reflection of our organizational tax strategy.

We are committed to avoiding WARN Act triggers, and your rating plays a critical role in that mission.

Remember:
When you grow, we grow.
When you go, our SUI tax rate stays low.

“3. Return‑to‑Office Is About Culture, Not Attrition”
Some have asked why we require you to return to the office even though:

• Your office was closed
• Your team is in three different time zones
• Your desk has been replaced by a potted plant
• Your badge no longer opens the door

Let me assure you:
RTO is not about forcing resignations.
It is about rebuilding community — specifically, the community of people who still work here after RTO.

“4. Global Talent Optimization”
We are proud to announce that we are expanding our global footprint in Pune and Manchester. This is not because labor costs are lower.
It is because we believe in unlocking global synergies.
And if those synergies happen to cost 80% less per headcount, that is simply a happy coincidence.

“5. AI Is Not Replacing You — It Is Empowering You”
Some of you have expressed concern that AI is taking over your job.
This is a misunderstanding.
AI is not replacing you.
AI is freeing you — from your responsibilities, your role, and your employment.
We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition as you train the AI that will empower your future successor.

6. “Why You Didn’t Receive a WARN Notice”
I want to address this directly.

You did not receive a WARN notice because:
• We did not lay off enough people at once
• We spread reductions across multiple 30‑day windows
• We reclassified separations as “performance‑aligned exits”
• We encouraged voluntary resignations
• We relocated roles to places you cannot physically reach
• We believe in agile workforce management

WARN notices are for companies that lack creativity.
We are innovators.

***Q&A Session***

***Employee:***
Why are so many people being rated poorly all of a sudden?
***CEO:***
Great question.
We are committed to data‑driven performance excellence, and the data shows that our reduction targets require a 17% increase in “Needs Improvement” ratings.

***Employee:***
Why are U.S. jobs being moved offshore?
***CEO:***
We are not moving jobs offshore.
We are expanding global opportunities while sunsetting domestic redundancies.

***Employee:***
Are more layoffs coming?
***CEO:***
We do not comment on future workforce transitions.
But we can confirm that ***your role is critical to our success*** — until it isn’t.

***Moderator:***  
Now that's all the time we have. Sorry (not) we can't take any more questions.

Closing Remarks

CEO:
Thank you for your continued dedication to our mission of Sustainable Workforce Optimization™.
We value each and every one of you — especially those who remain after this meeting.
Remember:
We are one team.
One vision.
One continuous reduction cycle.

Have a great rest of your day, and now please check Workday for updates to your performance rating.

Wendy Stewart (yuck) confirmed it today on a presentation call. Starting in March, it’s 5 days with 5 floaters a month. So, in typical arrogant banker talk, it’s more confusing than needs to be. It’s 4 days for 3 of the weeks in a month, and 3 days for one of the weeks, via the 5 floater days.

This place truly does su-k. No raises. No bonuses. Just cr-p.

Every one of the leaders should ask THEMSELVES this question and think about the “deposits” they’re making with the employee base. You have no “money in the bank” with the employees since you fuxed everyone over with 5 day RTO.

Potential employee here. I know 5 days per week in office is the official policy, but is it actually enforced across 100% of teams? I know a lot of similar companies have RTO policies on paper, but they aren't policed. Thanks in advance;

Since that seems to be the goal. I wonder if it worked as intended, or if people, given the job market, are just trying hard to accommodate. I'm in the latter group. RTO is needlessly time-consuming, expensive, and it’s hard to see any reasonable explanation beyond pressuring people to quit. Coming into the office has made me less efficient, and nobody on my team is even nearby anyway. I’ve decided to go along with it for now while I look for another job. In this game of chicken, I'll let them be forced to lay me off. After so many years, I'm not leaving without a severance.

I am sure the majority of people in Burlington are enjoying their time WFH while smaller desks, and cramped quarters will be taking effect in the building for our return. I can speak for myself when I say my mental health has been so much better for the last 5 weeks, however knowing this is our last week WFH (fingers crossed it gets extended) my anxiety is creeping about returning to the office..

One, two, three
Two chairs—the music stops.
Follow the decree:
One of you will drop.

Central, East, West—
You’re safest in the middle.
This isn’t a test,
Or a well-thought riddle.

Experience used to matter.
Results were once measured.
Now talent’s grown scattered,
And good work? No longer treasured.

Does it end with you or me?
Customers first, the message repeats.
Hello, goodbye—latest casualty.
One less chair—fewer seats.

Did you see the culture survey?
Breakfast and mingle with leaders.
RTO and layoffs underplay
The truth beneath the speakers.

Am I the next to go?
Be cautious of the meeting.
Does anyone know
When comes the next reaping?

One, two, three—
Only one chair left.
You’ve been set free.
You can drop the heft.

So i told my manager I went home because there was no place to sit. The answer is to look at different days where not as many people are there. So we are supposed to go in to the office to collaborate with people but we are supposed to pick days when people aren’t there. Make it make sense.

https://www.businessinsider.com/stellantis-return-to-office-5-days-us-staff-rto-2026-1

Hi all

I don't work in IBM but an ex IBM guy is taking over where I work and RTO has been announced

Just wondering is it enforced at IBM ? Is there a min number of hours on site or can you just leave whenever
Thanks

Are they just weeks you’re required to go to office? What if no one on your team lives in the same state as you?

Saw a comment on a different post about “connect weeks” schedule being posted…. What’s that?

Are those weeks when you’re expected to come into the office? I assume where most if not all meetings are through Zoom?

Or is it Forced socializing?

No, major companies are not shifting towards greater WFH options/number of days. Home Depot is the latest major employer to confirm this.

"...On Wednesday, the Atlanta-based company confirmed to media outlets that it would lay off 800 staff and make corporate employees return to the office for five days per week in the interests of “in-person engagement..."

The writing is on the wall.
Assume a letter from Mary is imminent because these automakers always copy each other.
2026 was already trash. It's just going to amplify. 😭

Stellantis orders employees to return to work 5 days a week

Coming to your town next !

We hear, even those who got a waiver to work off-site are to come in or lose their jobs.

The recent surge in FORD “ghost” job postings may now make more sense —HR likely anticipated increased turnover among employees who WFH getting canned.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/stellantis-orders-employees-to-return-to-work-5-days-a-week/ar-AA1VlIzy?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=DCTS&cvid=697d0bbac8ed45dfb96d01d3cbb642da&ei=73#comments

What do we think is going to happen with existing HBAs? For instance, I heard over 50% of the home office are HBA. I think it would be incredibly difficult to bring everyone back and hire the needed talent primarily out of St. Louis and Tempe. But I’m wondering what your guys thoughts are?

John Deere is recalling 99 employees for Iowa facilities. This decision stems from increased demand. Seventy-five workers will go to Davenport and 24 to Dubuque. All returning staff work in production and assembly. Their start date is set for mid-February.

https://www.kcci.com/article/john-deere-jobs-iowa-99-employees-return-davenport-dubuque/70174692

RTO is the industry standard---Live with it

Anyone else heard of this? Are they really going to go back to 1 week return to office? Heard from someone that works in HR

When HR 5 day in office required?

Why HR getting free pass to do nothing all day, every day.

I’m seeing the requirements get more and more scrutiny lately. Wondering if anyone’s heard any rumblings…

Most ppl impacted by snow received an email on Monday Jan 26 that in office policy will be relaxed this week..... Only to receive another email that in office policy is back in full effect starting Today Tuesday Jan 27.

So will Monday Jan 26 be exempted from in office reporting? Will we only have to go into office 2 days this week instead of 3?

Go look in Workday. They changed "Site Visits" to "Site Visit Maintenance" and it says "We are aware of issues with site level reporting and have temporarily taken the report down until those are resolved". This place is a circus.

Email from KS today doubling down on RTO. Wow.

It looks like one is now available

I see the new update, with the new dashboard on MySource highlighting exactly your in office exceptions seperate from other time off (e.g. holidays/sick).

Anyone have any insight on how the monitoring may change? Guessing there will be increased focus on the in-office exceptions.

https://www.inc.com/leila-sheridan/kevin-oleary-loves-why-his-companies-will-never-force-a-return-to-the-office/91291726

Does anyone go to the office during snow storms (when schools are closed) with this RTO mandate or do you just WFH and take the % ding?

I remember when they announced the shift to 4 days in office, they said they would review individual roles and let us know in January which are confirmed as 4 days in office, which would stay 2 days in office and a select few that would be remote. Anyone been officially notified?