Likely a pointless long-shot here, but it has to be said. It’s time for the senior leadership in this company to allow those who can to return to fully remote work. Between the enormous increase in health insurance premiums this year, a reemerging inflation crisis, skyrocketing transportation costs, etc.; the overwhelming majority of employees are unable to carry this financial burden. Compensation at this company simply isn’t high enough outside of the executive class to cover the cost of living explosion on 2026.
Allowing sales, admin, billing, contract, etc. staff (most of whom are still sub-6-figure incomes) to work fully remote removes some of the financial burden we’re all facing with $5-ish a gallon gas and all the inflationary side effects with $7-ish+ per gallon diesel (even worse on the west coast).
In addition, Canon is surely facing logistics increases as the diesel prices have skyrocketed and will continue to increase. Imagine saving money on utilities for office buildings for a while until the ongoing global conflicts find some kind of resolution.
Collaboration isn’t limited to face-to-face contact, and most of us still attend meetings via Chat even when we’re in the office. Something has got to give, here. People need a break. I just filled the gas tank on my aging SUV to prepare for the week before football today and it cost $100 (I guess I should have filled up on Wednesday and saved $0.40 a gallon…).
Do SOMETHING to help the people who actually do the work and make the company money. It’s costs the company nothing in the end, but can help improve morale and the financial health of the workforce in a historic time of financial stress outside of any of our control.