Elon Musk shocked the TESLA employees working remotely when he recently stated, “…The more senior you are, the more visible must be your presence.” He was requesting that employees come back to the office. COVID-19 had everyone rethinking work, health, and the work-life balance as they were forced to work remotely. Now that things are getting back to normal, the executive demand for employees to return in person has increased.
Musk decried that some people were “phoning it in” across the working remote spectrum, no doubt some people are. Let’s skip the fact that working remotely isn’t for everyone. Certain home environments are simply not conducive to it.
Not everyone can concentrate at home. Certain environments are distracting and bothersome. Some people lose focus on their tasks and have a difficult time with deadlines. Some need a manager looking over their shoulder.
There is also the question of leadership. Can a good work culture be established remotely? For every company is it different. There are organizations that strive for creativity and collaboration while other companies need autonomy and have heavy demands on deliverables.
The hybrid work remote culture is an asset for some organizations: it allows employees to have a proper work life balance and maximizes their capabilities. For others, it is a detriment when employees are not at their best and projects are not completed. Musk is the CEO of his organization; and if he wants employees in the office rather than home, it is his prerogative. It is also the choice of said employees to find positions in companies that match their life goals and meet their preferred work-life balance.
