I know a few people who moved away in the last 6 months or so. Basically, once they concluded WFH is most likely here to stay. Another friend is considering the same and I can’t convince him he’d be making a huge mistake. How can people think that their jobs will remain 100% remote permanently? I don’t see it happening. Plenty of jobs will be a hybrid, where people will be coming in a few times a week. But full remote? I think once the dust settles, those who moved away will probably have to quit or move back to keep their jobs. Either way it’s not good for them.
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For those who keep saying 'I have been WFH for 10+ years', you need to realize things have changed. Just before COVID, the tech side was requiring relocations for anyone not in a key location. Either move or you were let go. COVID put that on ice, but that is where Charlie wants to go, and his history at other companies supports that too. Be very cautious moving away from a core site, because I am not convinced Hybrid will be a long term option. If it was, that would have already been communicated.
I don’t think WFH is a long term option for any of us but then I wonder why do I need to be in my city office at when the other 10 members of my team work in other states? Nothing changes for me whether I am home working or in the office working other than a longer work day adding my 2-3 hour commute.
yeah I'm not sure why anyone would risk moving to a non-core area unless they just plan on staying in their current role for the rest of their career or are potentially hoping to wait out the strategy which I also think could happen. I'm in a 100% remote role and have been told I'm safe to continue as long as I'm still in this role but I can tell you from experience in exploring other options within the bank and talking with HR that 100% remote is not being offered as an option anymore (HR literally said it's not part of the strategy) and exceptions are required on locations in most areas. If you're working elsewhere that's not in the job posting, it needs an exception. I've seen them get approved but they basically go to an OC member. So, I have stayed put and am waiting to see how this all plays out. Its not a wise move to move elsewhere unless they plan on just finding a new company that just jumped on remote working.
I can't wait to go back into the office, do I want to go back 5 days a week, nope. But when we have this pandemic under control it will be nice to get the f out of the house. I'm not a troglodyte like a lot of people are. People who luuuuuv eating all day and being flat out lazy staring at screen pretending to be busy. Which is probably a third of the people who work at this bank, and thus all the layoffs. 100% remote, no way that is happening at this bank, thank god. Hybrid, yes.
Whatever happened to reducing our carbon footprint? 200,000 team members working remotely means 200,000 less cars stuck in traffic spewing out CO2. Charles in Charge put out his big “Go Green” fluff initiative not to long ago to a chorus of eye rolling. Tone deafness is an epidemic of biblical proportions in the executive suites.
It’s up to Charlie. Don’t like it? Leave. So much blah blah blah over this
Chainsaw and MN and the other sh—head “leaders” have no idea how much the BS location strategy is messing up employees’ ability to make decisions for their personal lives out of fear for losing their jobs because of where their home is. What’s worse is that they don’t even care. MN moved cross country just to be with Chainsaw. What a pathetic puppy.
SVB is the one pushing hub strategy and eliminating WFH. He and CS are thick as thieves. Pandemic derailed their aggressive plans. As soon as they can, they'll resume the strategy. SVB should canned based on his Town Halls alone. Will never forget "Are you entertained?" or constant narcissistic comments. We don't care what you and your family eat, Saul! Stop wasting our time!
I disagree- Wells pays $$$$$ for all these corporate offices and they remain full (especially in Charlotte- you have to earn a spot uptown by badging in # a days)- for some work, yes its probably needed to be in office (such as Ops, call centers, branches, etc) For others, it is not and if nothing the past year has proven that. I think there will always be offices in hubs for in person meetings, etc. but I dont see Wells requiring it from a corporate leve- I think it will be at more discretion of direct manager.
I agree with you, OP, that was ill-considered of your friends to make a move like that. Maybe they are ok with the risk of being called back into the office or are hoping to be "grandfathered" into working 100% remote when we're called back in to return in May.
I've been at Wells since 2013. And while I went into the office 4-5 times a week, I was basically working remote. My partners stretch across the globe. Non of my direct team members work on any of the same things I do. I haven't used a conference room since 2015. The only difference between me being remote vs. Office is I don't have access to a printer. And those cubes cost about $15,000 a year. Seriously, where ROI in that?
I know someone who was 100% WFH and then their management made them "come in" twice a week.
Since the order was from on high, his direct manager simply has him show up, badge in, badge out, then leave. Two times per week. It's the stupidest policy in the world.
WF is only threatening to end WFH to get people to self attrition. People will figure out how to game the system, they always do.
Why WF continues to fail? Because the company cares more about where arses are sitting than the value of the actual work. We all know clamping down on WFH is an attrition stick. WF "leaders" should be embarrassed. It's stuff like this that makes no talented, fresh blood want to come near the place.
I've been 100% remote for 3 years. Most of my team was. I work near a smaller corporate site where I officed in my prior role, but it's not a hub. In mid-late 2019, the head of our group REQUIRED all those who live near a hub to go flex, 2-3 days per week onsite. Those of us not near hubs were grandfathered and given exceptions to remain 100% WFH. However, it was made clear to us that, due to the new location strategy, it would be very difficult for us to apply for any other roles without an exception - which would very hard to get. When COVID hit, that all went out the window, but I fully expect it to come back. I've been with WF over 10 years and have no plans for a change yet, but have concluded that my current role will my last at this company.
I've worked 100% remotely for over 15 years. Stop fear mongering. It's all about what's important to you. If WF changes WFH policy or mgrs change working arrangements, I'll work elsewhere. There are plenty of enlightened employers out there (amidst the dinosaurs with antiquated thinking) who know that WFH is valuable, particularly as a recruiting and retention tool.
Not to worried, was remote before COVID. But sure, moving away from your job doesn't make much sense.