This is a tech company that announced the end of blended ways of working/ hybrid working, in their many acronyms (B-WoW) end of last year during a townhall stream, citing employees using netflix and youtube at home. Work from home is no more, with HR peddling the 'increased collaboration' and 'better mental health' message of working in office. They also point to their many positive indicators from the employee engagement surveys. Would love for them to do an impact report on the change from b-wow to full office droning - yea less time watching netlifx, more time catching colds in office and one dimensional ways of working and getting packed in the commute. I can tell you we will take more sick days and find more reasons to leave work early whenever possible now.
As is often the case, ground realities are different from wayang metrics and reports. Speak to staff around, and also look at the turnover and one would know the mood and emotions, once you take your head out of the sand. That they brilliantly timed this draconian measure to sync with the chaotic moving of office from the somerset HQ to other more congested offices and areas is beautiful.
In our supposed space of tech and innovation, it is shameful when we try to explain to our partners (gov and private) about our working policy. 'Aren't you a telco company that advocates connectivity and empowerment?' This is in fact one of the biggest impact, the signaling of top down rigidity vs creative flexibility. And before a Singtel rep comes in here and replies "please speak to your manager to find a solution blah blah" - yea we need to smoke some reason just to work from home once a week now eh? The world has moved on and improved certain processes since the pandemic, there really is no point going back to the stone age.
Throw in your below average increments, and actually poor connectivity within the offices somehow, use of flowery acronyms, this becomes a retirement home which is not too comfortable
