From the carrot we have moved on to the stick, some experts say.
Many companies initially used incentives to encourage employees to return to the office, but now, as autumn approaches, they have turned to more coercive measures.
Some companies are pressuring employees, who continue to work remotely, with ultimatums, such as asking for a minimum number of days to be spent in the office, even raising the possibility of terminating the employment relationship.
And while before it was more difficult to carry out these requests, now, thanks to a less competitive job market, employers feel more confident in imposing these policies.
The question of where and when employees should work has been a persistent challenge, since the onset of COVID-19, with many managers believing that office workers are more productive and cohesive.
Some companies are adopting a more aggressive position, perhaps also to reduce their workforce and make those famous staff cuts that we have already talked about in the past.
However, experts warn that a strict “come back or else” approach could lead to lower productivity and lower employee satisfaction than more flexibility-focused strategies.
This phenomenon of progressive disengagement of workers already has a name, quiet quitting, a topic that we will certainly have the opportunity to talk about in the future.