I had been trying to cut down on return-to-work stories. Then Google and Salesforce change their policies, which feels worth discussing again.
On Wednesday, told workers that they must comply with the three-day requirement or their nonattendance could show up on their performance reviews, according to a memo sent to employees by Google Chief People Officer Fiona Cicconi obtained by The Washington Post.
Salesforce is s planning to donate $10 to local charities every day an employee comes into offices from June 12 to 23, an initiative that Fortune first reported. Salesforce will also contribute to charity for each remote employee who attends a company event during this window.
So let’s look at the data.
In May, 30% of U.S. employers were doing some structured hybrid plan where office workers come in a minimum number of days a week — with some businesses specifying which days to come in, according to a new data report called the Flex Index. In February, only 20% of firms were doing a structured hybrid.
Or this.
Average building visits are back above their pre-pandemic baseline, at 61%; according to The Real Estate Board of New York, the momentum has stalled. Among its key findings released earlier this month: the 61% mark is a notable increase from 51% during Q1 2022. But visitation rates have “essentially plateaued,” REBNY said, since reaching a peak of 65% in mid-2022.
Why do we care?
The beatings will continue until morale improves. I’m skeptical that disciplinary action to drive employees into the office is a wise choice. When one reaches this point, you’ve already lost. This screams of desperation.
It also screams avoidance – avoiding the actual work of embracing the changes to the business required to be effective. I get it; complicated problem. And just like the MSP data cited last week, everyone is looking for a magic solution. One doesn’t exist. It’s about hard work. I continue to like this challenge due to the consulting opportunities it affords. We like complex problems.