There’s seems to be a lot of resentment here from some people with phrases like “adults go to work” and “covid is over” and “it’s your own fault that you moved to another state” and common sentiment is - get back to the office or get out. A lot of people seem to be unaware that remote work existed way before Covid. There are some companies who hired remote-only (look up Hashicorp). Remote work existed in Viacom too.
Most of what I’m hearing here is towards people who were in the office and then became remote due to COVID. Ok I get that. What beef do you have with me, someone who was hired remotely years before COVID, never lived anywhere near NY or LA, and commonly known as a local workaholic often working way over 8 hours a days, often working weekends etc? Where do I have to “return” to? I’m where I’ve always been. And I’m not going anywhere.
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RTO is ALL ABOUT shadow layoffs, occupying their high priced real estate, etc.
Collaboration is just a cover.
If you doubt that, then do a little reading of recent media articles on the subject.
@q4 I think it is partially that, and also from bitter internal people who have been forced back into the office when other teams have not, and feel like they have been inconvenienced unfairly.
I do wonder though if the negativity is coming from trolls who don’t even work at Paramount.
@ac How did those CEOs manage to oversee direct reports who weren't just based in other offices, but in other countries on other continents? Isn't it impossible to collaborate and do business without everyone sharing a restroom and a coffee machine?
Get back to work Karen!
@fc You are no longer working for Netflix, either because they no longer viewed you as a good fit, or you know longer felt like the company was a fit for you. Did Netflix fall apart after you left? The only thing that matters is what the company needs. Paramount is moving in that direction. There is a lot of talent out there, as more "talented" people are let go. In this environment, companies have more power.
@f2 I know DE wants us to be the new Netflix, but I worked for Netflix and it was hands down the most toxic work culture I have experiences in over 30 years with a multitude of large media corporations and startups. So yeah, if you want to put up with that for a fat salary, that's great for you. But Paramount most definitely isn't paying Netflix salaries.
Just to say that I was one of the many people laid off and I would go in to work 6 days to have my job back! I miss the office, I miss my co workers and I miss my wages. I would give anything to have a chance not to have been laid off, please be grateful because you are truly lucky
@d3 The view of the company, under its new management, is that in-person office work not only improves teamwork, but also collaboration between teams across various divisions. Talk to most Netflix employees - they all know a lot about other parts of their business, not just their own lane, but everyone else's. It's impressive, and effective. And it's a product of their work culture. On the other hand, the Viacom culture is "stay in your lane with blinders on." Netflix has set the gold standard in the media business, whether you like it or not. Yes, they do have some teams on remote. But they were quite early in getting most employees back to RTO post Covid, whereas Viacom and the other legacy media companies dragged their feet, led by many Prez/GMs/EVP/SVP types who set a bad example by not going in (RTO) themselves. I'm concerned with employees who say "I don't need to go in, the local office has people who have nothing to do with my work." That kind of attitude is an exact symptom of the culture the company does NOT need anymore. I see this attitude too much on display. Unfortunately, if you have this attitude, then you are not aligned with the new company.
@bj I think this point/issue is important to note has been getting overlooked in all the chaos. And not just in regards to RTO.
@ch it is, had remote jobs for about 15 years now. Who is saying otherwise? And I will. Have multiple offers already as a matter of fact. I just don’t want to leave - I like it here, I like my team and I like what I built. So - I am not in rush. We will see what summer brings. Anyways this isn’t about me - this is about you and the likes of you. What problem do you have with me? Why do YOU want me to leave? What did I do to you?
@bt I was remote at Viacom years before Covid. And stop eating this BS for breakfast about collaboration and culture - I would believe that only after all the off shore is gone and DE hires all American. Until then - cultural nonsense is just doublespeak for background layoffs.
I don’t get it. If remote is normal and available everywhere then just go where it is. Most of the remote folks claim they work crazy hours. Just go to that place that will let you do remote and work less. It’s easy, right?
@OP Harshicorp = relatively insignificant tech company. Give an example of a large media company that had significant numbers of WFH employees prior to Covid.
@bj Leadership and Board comes from a wide variety of large corporations, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Amazon, Oracle etc. Not sure what your point is.
It seems like every mandate Skydance sends out is just a copy and paste for what they do with their small 500 original company. They took over a brand with thousands of people all over the world and have no idea how to manage people with different setups. It’s hilarious and infuriating to see.
@ac hey I explicitly said - I’m not talking to the company here (obviously). This is a free country and they can do whatever the new owner wants - including to terminate me and not wait till summer. Whether that would be good for the company - is another question. Yeah sure no one is irreplaceable but we have been trying to hire talent in my class and it is not easy to come by. CEOs are easy to come by. Everyone wants to be a CEO. What I do - no one wants to do. Not at the pay rate we have - arguably how the company got into this mess to begin with. Anyways it is not about that - I’ll be fine, most likely will get another pay raise with new job and get to stay remote. This is rather about confronting some boot lickers on this website and finding out (or rather confirming) what are they up to.
@a6 The point is... is that it is not "about you". The problem with remote work is that it fosters a "what about me" attitude. The new company wants a team and collaboration culture, more suited to a RTO environment. Whether that agrees with you or not is not relevant as far as the company is concerned. Sure, you may be able to do the job at home alone, but the company has a different view, and that is all that matters. The company will exist without you. Look at the highest levels - There are numerous past CEOs of Viacom, CBS, Paramount, and numerous other division leaders, presidents, EVPs, etc. The company continues along through all those changes.... Nobody is special.
@aa talking to yourself now? Which part of "no one cares" don't you understand, snowflake?
@a5 someone clearly does. Just read this board. And I really want to hear it to my face. Because all arguments so far did not apply to me. So I’m genuinely curious - were people that ignorant and just unaware of remote work before Covid, or they just jealous and resentful and no arguments are needed for that.
@a2 you seem to be very confused. First - I’m not talking to the company, I’m talking to you. I wonder what problem do you have with me and my remote work. Second - no, the company don’t own me. I have options, I have choices, and it gonna be ultimately Paramount’s loss if I’m out and someone’s gain. Simple as that.
You dont "own" the remote job. The company does and with RTO now in effect, a choice has to be made. Very simple.