Commuting in slippers

If the pandemic (remember???) was good for anything, it was solid proof that not all work has to be done in a traditional office or designated setting. The virus was kind enough to wait until just about everyone had computer access at home, enabling many to work or study from the comfort of their overstuffed chair at home. 

So, when some large national or international companies started to pull in the reins a little and say "we need to see your smiling face around the worksite a little more," a lot of the younger workers, who had gotten used to typing up motions for the Landseeker vs Honeyman case while clad in slippers and those flannel pants that are just right for the bedroom, living room, and produce aisle at the Giant, said "hey no, wait a minute..."

Gallup polls said that older workers, whose spirits have been broken by decades of office coffee, improper personal hygiene among coworkers, and actually having to drive the roads to work with all those maniacs out there, were less resistant to coming back.

But here's the twist: the younger workers were also the least interested in jobs that were entirely remote. Go figure.

As people will, someone studied that contradiction and found that young people feel they suffer in terms of career advancement by working from home because they have fewer chances to train and, therefore, fewer opportunities that climb up that old corporate ladder.

Getting it done at home

 

As I celebrate the 14th (!) anniversary of my retirement, I wish to tell the younger people on the job that there are very few training sessions, unless you are working in the field of diesel mechanics or pancake making, that can't be covered in a memo and/or a phone call. 

And as for promotions, the time honored advancement system based upon who you know will never go out of date. Know more people. In fact, have them over for lunch while you work at home!

But they have to leave by 1:30. Your show comes on at 2!