#rto

If they follow up the layoffs with a 5-day RTO I think they'll have a riot on their hands. There's only so much people can take, and I wouldn't be surprised if this ends up being the straw that breaks the camel's back and we see massive quitting, which is probably the goal, along with massive walkouts. If cops can have the blue flu, we can have something similar as well.

Has anyone else heard this rumor?

Had a meeting with HR this afternoon about a few days a few months ago where I had no transportation to work and was relying on an evening ride to get my badge swipe. My direct management was aware and, supposedly, fine with it. Our team also has the unofficial ‘official’ go ahead from our global head to leave once we’ve logged 4 hours in office, but that’s beside the point I guess.
HR called it a ‘fact finding’ meeting and had no concrete answer when I asked what next steps were and when I could expect to hear back. I’ve seen posts of people being let go for the same basic reason and am just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience? Meeting first and then termination to follow? Obviously can’t change the outcome now, but I’m still curious.

No trolls please. Only want to hear from folks who actually have credible information.

I’ve heard that conversations are happening to reinstate a return to office for the entire work-week as opposed to the current 3-day requirement. Does anybody have any additional intel to confirm or deny this is on the table?

I feel like the open seating setup is not ideal due to noise, lack of routine, etc and having everybody in the office is going to make it that much more difficult to be productive. At least give us a cube so teams can sit together and you know where to find someone as opposed to walking around aimlessly.

Bottom line though - so many of us would still be on zoom sessions for most meetings so a full return to office just isn’t needed to increase productivity and relationships. Leave it where it is and allow us to be adults - if we need the face time, we go in. If not, then we don’t.

Didn’t last long with the “return to office.”

So, what actually happens if someone doesn’t stick to the 5-day RTO policy? Will managers just note it during performance reviews, meaning it could impact our bonuses or raises? Just wondering what steps Truist expects managers to take with team members who don’t follow the policy.

1. Collaboration: Being in the office can make face-to-face meetings and spontaneous brainstorming easier.
2. Culture building: Physical presence can help new hires integrate and reinforce company values.
3. Visibility: Managers can see work happening and provide real-time feedback.
4. Team cohesion: Shared space can strengthen relationships and alignment across teams.
5. Structured environment: For some roles, having a dedicated workspace helps employees stay focused and productive.

You see how these are all good things? Just RTO 5 days as you’re asked and we can turn this company around. Cmon guys. It might even be fun!

Well, I just got notice from my manager. I hate to break the news, but the 5 days RTO rumor is true. It’s not 3 days anymore it will now be 5. Seems they are planning to use RTO to reduce headcount without severance. Just fair warning to y’all. I am in shock.

Just calling it now — once AIP drops in March, Q1–Q2 2026 is going to be a bloodbath for Truist talent. Every high performer who still cares enough to tough it out right now is probably already polishing their résumé. Between the 5-day RTO nonsense, the constant cost-cutting “initiatives” that make zero sense, and leadership’s habit of treating teammates like disposable headcount, why would anyone with real market value stick around?

It’s honestly painful watching good people get run into the ground while execs talk about “purpose” and “care” in the same breath they use to justify another round of cuts or policy rollbacks. The writing’s on the wall — once the bonus hits, the exits will light up.

Truist keeps acting like folks don’t have options. Spoiler: they do. And the ones who’ve kept the lights on are about to prove it.

• Paramount told staff they must return to the office five days a week starting in January and offered a voluntary severance package to employees at vice president level and below who did not want to comply.
• Around 600 people, mainly in Los Angeles and New York, chose the payout instead of coming back full time. This comes on top of earlier layoffs and broader restructuring and cost cutting after the Skydance merger, including leadership changes at CBS News and canceling “The Late Show.”
• Critics say the new owner David Ellison is reshaping the company in ways that may also be politically aligned with President Trump, who recently settled a lawsuit with Paramount and has praised Ellison’s direction.

https://thehill.com/homenews/media/5600559-paramount-layoffs-office-return/

does anyone know if RTO hour are being tracked/days in office? Will it affect our bonus this year?

Anyone have clarity on what half day pto convert to in terms of hours? Its listed as in office day but does it count as full 8 hours worked?

Truist bank will require all employees to return to the office five days a week starting early next year, ending pandemic-era work-from-home policies. Hybrid work arrangements split between home and office will end starting Jan. 5, the Charlotte-based bank confirmed to The Charlotte Observer Wednesday. This shift from pandemic-era remote work policies is meant to boost in-person collaboration and reinforce corporate culture, Truist said.
Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article312885549.html#storylink=cpy

LE's son's acorn didn't fall far from the tree:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/600-paramount-skydance-employees-quit-instead-of-returning-to-the-office-and-it-cost-the-company-185-million-filings-show/ar-AA1QeuAq?uxmode=ruby&ocid=edgdhpruby&pc=DCTS&cvid=691415c2ca144a0197f8d3c562227e9a&ei=9

I wonder if LE is more interested in this industry more than high-tech.
The circus continues.

heard rumors about more lay offs coming in December (including lower level) & a 5 day work week coming back. any confirmations?

Let’s start this thread for further discussions, cheers

Work as prescribed 9-5 M-F. Been done nearly a century. Prove they do not need to send your job overseas. RTO is for collaboration and winning. No whining.

https://www.businessinsider.com/paramount-skydance-leaked-memo-rto-logistics-5-days-david-ellison-2025-11

OK, let's vent here.

Article:

Toxic Work Culture On The Rise At GM Following IT Leadership Changes, Layoffs

• Summary: A GM Authority report describes rising employee discontent tied to stricter performance policies, remote work rollbacks, and rounds of layoffs across software and IT. Sources cited internal turmoil following leadership changes and site closures.

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2025/11/toxic-work-culture-on-the-rise-at-gm-following-it-leadership-changes-layoffs/

If the execs had any clue how many core employees on their “critical initiatives” are just weeks away from working at another company, they’d lose it. The people holding this place together are the ones leaving, and they have no backup plan for that.

So many people are hanging on to hope of change to RTO that if 5x RTO bleeds into next year they’re in for a rude awakening, and when they realize their mistake as late as they usually do it’ll be too late. Once you leave toxic T nothing can bring you back. Nobody is willing to accept 5x RTO when they can work remote or hybrid for a better company who actually respects them. The job market is opening back up, so FAFO is about to hit hard.

What will you do when all the high performers walk or retire and you’re stuck with a bunch of duds nobody else wants? Good luck!

Do we know if PBE and Freelance employees are required to RTO in Jan?

I've been mandated to return 4 days a week. During the last month of this, I've talked to 3 people (total) in the office and taken meetings from conference rooms where hardly anyone in the office showed up--instead taking the calls from their cube or a focus room or remote. The people I work with are not in the office or even my location. But my life has been disrupted completely to meet some ridiculous ego-driven mandate. I'm using more water, gas and energy--not good for the environment. My stress level has risen--not good for my mental state. And add to this the other things I had to buy to accommodate going into the office (lunch stuff, clothing, shoes, backpack that holds a laptop, etc.) that makes RTO costly to the employee. This is after 5 years of little no pay increase and minimal if any bonus and 5+ years without a promotion. Feeling trapped because the job market is so horrible. But yeah, at least I have a job and didn't get riffed. Looking forward to the tide changing back to favor employees however long that takes.

An on point post from @cf+1k9p3cq31.

Between unclear directives like the fact that we are being given an activity score but not told what makes up the score and things like we have to be in the office 8 hours but some days there are no seats I feel like all of us are being set up to fail. That way they can go through and remove anyone they want and make up some excuse. No severance because you didn’t meet unclear targets.

For 5+ years, Wells Fargo has run an ambiguous layoff machine under the banner of “efficiency,” with quarterly severance accruals ($750M–$1B in 2023 alone) and global headcount slashed from ~268,000 (2019) to 217,000 (2024)—a net loss of ~51,000 souls. Meanwhile, India/Philippines ops ballooned: ~10,000 hires during the pandemic, VP-level Risk/Compliance roles offshored (requiring FINRA licenses), and threads here scream “All India Project.” U.S. employees train replacements in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Manila, then get the axe. Identity theft teams to Manila, compliance VPs to India—classic knowledge transfer before the pink slip. RTO mandates, hub consolidations , non-backfill policies, and location strategy force quits or relocations, masking the real goal: cheap offshore labor. It’s the account scandal 2.0—unethical cost-cutting, abuse shifted from customers to employees. No genuine restructuring; just coercion in “wagile” clothing. Signs it’s failing? India hiring freeze + 400 cuts in 2025, Chennai shutdown—optimization after U.S. displacement backfired with expertise loss (EPL flops, SSIS relics, cloud messes). Psychological safety? Zero. Teams? Ghosts. Innovation? Dead. Ethics demand shareholder scrutiny—until the next crisis exposes the rot. Document everything, join Wells Fargo Workers United, file EEOC if biased. Upskill (tuition reimbursement for certs and training), quietly quit, job search—JPMorgan’s building fearless AI teams (30% costs down, 20% sales up). Read The Fearless Organization. My mission: fearless workplaces. There’s a better option! #WellsFargo #OffshoringFail #FearfulBank

I noticed new items have been added in the expectations. Consider this an official warning that HR can use against you.

• In-office days are expected to be eight hours in the office (i.e., don't come in at all if you can't stay 8 hours, even if you're coming in an extra day more than required).
• Employees who need to leave early for medical appointments or childcare should come in extra hours in-office on other days or "talk with their managers." (like the 3 day requirement, your managers should be able to override it on a case-by-case basis if they document it beforehand).
• Half day PTO of all forms of time away count as in-office days still, even with the 8 hour requirement going forward.

Anyone privy to the strategy for Call Center reps that either work in T buildings or WFH? What's the plan for Ocean Springs, Orlando... centers? When Black contracts ends will virtual reps be forced to move back to office?

I'm curious if anyone has any thoughts on the latest RTO development, at least in the U.S. where an announcement was made this week of selling a couple of the buildings in Greenville, but re-stating the RTO of 4 days per week. This seems odd to me, in that I don't see how you can force more people into significantly less space? In addition, I understand there will be no dedicated desks, making this objective even more complicated. Anyone have any insight?

If you’re still classified as a virtual worker, you’re in the crosshairs. Notices are starting to go out that NVWs will be required to “follow the work” and RTO full-time in Dallas, Atlanta, or New Jersey depending on org. My source says the plan is to eliminate all remaining virtual roles before year-end with any remaining to move and RTO by June 2026 or terminate.

Don’t assume you’re safe, they’ve already pushed out some of the best and most experienced people here. Titles and “essential” status won’t save anyone. This is your warning since the company won’t give you one.

I know they said it would be rare to have it approved, but curious if anyone gave it shot and what the outcome was?

Paused, don’t have the money to pay severance. Plan B = 4 days, 8 hours to drive attrition.

Anyone here planning on quitting come January when RTO goes into effect?

Anyone who was RA'd still abiding by the RTO 3 day mandatory badging in?

Capital One offices and amenities now open on Fridays. They are totally doing that because SOO many people want to drive in Fridays 🙃. Get ready for full time RTO

Happening Wednesday. Su-ks for sure.

Hi All,

Does anyone have experience with a medical exception that can change their working arrangement? Are they lenient on the conditions that may qualify for this? What is the process? What was the end result? Was documentation needed? Did you experience discrimination from management after?

I personally have a condition, that although is not life shattering or major, would greatly benefit from a relaxed work arrangement.

First ATT has the left over timewarner so called leaders that made a bad decision got stock , bonuses and millions. Second many in power have less than I say 8 years but more like 5 years with ATT. Third they broke the foundation that made ATT work meaning the New bee executives to the point that Innovation is now creeping along because the hours from managers are now focused on 8hrs only. Fourth the BIG mistake was instead of hurting the company which they are doing likely listening to a consultant company on RTO( same as our executives going to a psychiatrist) follow their advise. Fifth MAKES sense newly hired 5 days and in a hub. Existing managers remain as they were especially if status has been for 20 years. Sixth and final do Hybrid 3 days office, 5 days remain for marketing and sales. Those at ATT handle break and fix and part of the guarantee flow a few days a month office……I think spot on, oh by the way just fire the ones everyone knows that have nothing to do and don’t use color, ethnic, or male/female/ confused as an excuse
Recently T-Mobile and Verizon booted their CEO is ours next?

Mine went up 20 bucks a pay period for a comparable plan. So much for the savings with UHC.

More lies. Just like the OHI and then the RTO 3x/week.