If management can't implement a proper return to office, how can they possibly manage the sustained growth of a multi-billion dollar corporation like Ford? Our management team sits in modern clean facilities sporting fancy matching Ford branded swag in nearly every corporate level webcast to repeatedly tell us how we're failing, yet the building I work in is absolutely filthy, lacks proper work stations, and is in significant disrepair. Many of the hands-free faucets in the bathrooms don't work, it's nearly impossible to find a work station that has suitable or functional network and electrical connections, secure storage, clean seats that aren't broken or failing, and functional conference rooms. I think it's long past time for management to take a hard look in the mirror.
21 replies (most recent on top)
Us plant workers should be more involved with the design of parts and how they're put together. We don't need college degrees for that. And we can get the mechanics to help too - they're smarter than any engineer!
All your clock watcher jobs are likely going to be sent to low cost countries. US plant workers made the right choice - we have job security.
The only reasonable explanation for the terrible bonus, uncompetitive wages, and RTO at the same time is executive leadership pushing for attrition. I'm happy to engage in that, and already have contacted recruiters and have interviews scheduled. The company is not healthy, and I will be looking to get myself out of this toxic situation.
RTO will be the death knell for F; the good workers will go elsewhere with a pay bump for RTO.
@2zfh+1r7EdL3M] absolutely correct. This is exactly what will happen. I think the only thing Sr leadership is concerned with is having throngs of people to genuflect before them on a daily basis. They are really not concerned about work, only feeding their egos. After all. Are you really an LL3+ if you don't have throngs of sycophants hanging on your ever word.
Back to the office, means back to old bad behaviors. Come in late. Leave early. Take 90-120 min lunch. Talk to friends for 30 minutes. Take a walk for 30 minutes. Wrap up your 5 hr work day and go home. No one wants to go back into the office, and by forcing employees, will only further the dissension.
@2zcb+1r7EdL3M - If that were true the best will leave.
In one group I heard one of the guys who does all the work say he will leave if forced to come.
".....or it's being done to get folks to leave."
This is 80% of it. I think they are getting tired of having to initiate layoffs "just because". They can move the goal posts on performance reviews, but after a while they have to find something else. RTO and non-compliance is the next easiest thing as they are hoping most people make the choice to leave on their own.
I wonder if anyone at Ford (or elsewhere) has done a study as to the attendance in regards to RTO or WFH? Does sick time off and PB increase with RTO?
How does the "hotel-seating" affect all the designers that have not been replaced by Mexico or India? These guys do not have company cell phones that the engineers have. Does the company expect them to use their personal cell phones?
It doesn't take a gemius to realize that lower bonuses + RTO = decreased satisfaction. Productivity will go down even more. I am expecting most people to work only 40 hours and ignore the calls during weekends and off-time. This will be a big deal, since Ford management expects employees to work for free 10 extra hours every week.
Projects will be even more delayed, and more quality issues will arise. Employees will get a second job or a better job and leave the company. Good luck filling certain positions with LLCs employees, which have no technical knowledge, nor the desire, to be competent.
I am still working at Ford, but already looking for something better. The closer we get to July, the less I'll care about the "better" part. I even have a couple of complex projects that I am thinking in delay them long enough that maybe I won't have to deal with that sh!t myself. I already have more than plenty on my plate, specially after the previous layoffs reduced my team's numbers, and I have no need to stress out more by adding those projects into my life.
The only thing I hear from management is to work more efficiently, to deliver more, but I don't see the managers, nor the company, delivering "more" to me (except more work). Office Space said it best in "That's my only real motivation is not to be hassled, that and the fear of losing my job. But you know, Bob, that will only make someone work just hard enough not to get fired." The sad part is I am starting to not care about losing my job here at Ford. I have been frustrated and disappointed for too long.
Calling others clock watchers when you likely run for the parking lot as soon as the shift ends is a bit hypocritical. Not even going to ask where you think the parts come from the plants use to assemble vehicles because it seems well over your head.
Yes it’s a cluster. We have PII data on our laptops for our jobs, yet there is no method to secure laptops in the free for all cube environments. So you either say F it or you take your laptop to the coffee machine, water fountain, all meetings and the toilet. Oh and since we got a lecture about leaving laptops in our trunks at lunch, we take them into restaurants and into stores if we are running errands. Super secure LMAO
Oh and how about that Legionella in the water? Pro-tip if your building has scalding hot water in it or if the hot water is turned off DO NOT drink the water or wash anything you are going to eat in the water. Increasing the water temperature to scalding is a Legionella mitigation technique that ford building management takes when they have detected Legionella in the water. When mitigation efforts totally fail, the hot water is turned off.
I am not going in until ceo gives me an assigned cube and basic equipment such as monitor and docking station so that I am efficient. What can they do?
To PKF+1..so tell me genius. If all we do is create PowerPoint and watch the clock as you say. Tell me, how do the parts that YOU assemble get engineered and made? If it wasn't for us ( the educated) part of the company you would be working and a burger assembly line. Now, go back to milking your OT and whining about how you can extort the company at the next contract. You POS
Try working at a PLANT for once you clock watchers! You'll see what REAL work looks like!
I am glad that you all have to go back to your offices. Even thought I know most of you will twiddle your thumbs ad make powerpoint slides all day.
It's better than you all doing work around your houses and watching your kids or taking naps between your webex meetings!
Ford land is clueless and a bunch of do nothings. IT as well.
Can anyone name a Ford internal support outfit who is actually on the ball?
Come on Ford leaders, this is embarrassing. Stop talking about it and get you buts going.
My team is mandated to go to Rotunda Court. I laugh because we are way less efficient and metrics will eventually show that. No cubicles, coffee is horrible, it’s too loud, can never find a desk. The list goes on. If they are dragging me in the office I am done working my life away. My day starts at 8 and ends at 4 (we eat lunch at our desks on meetings).
Go talk to Ford Land.
THIS. Facilities are not ready. Executives did not work with Ford land before making a RTO proclamation.
It's posturing for stockholders, following other businesses (we do not lead anything), or it's being done to get folks to leave.
To 7edl3m- You must be talking about PFC. If so, you're absolutely right. We were told today our department is now to move to GB...we were st aec the 1D. Nothing like having a no backbone management that kicks us to the shittiest past of the building. And, going there to collaborate with teams we never collaborated with in the past. This plac is getting worse by the week while C suite and UAW enjoy fat bonuses. I'm glad I am able to control how many EV sales and subscription services we sell. Oh wait.....also, can someone explain what the function of an LL5 is? Besides regurgitating and spinning emails from VP levels? What a FLUSTER CLUCK
Your building is better than ours - we don't even have hands free faucets. On that note, most of our faucets do work and the hot water is often scalding not to mention the drinking fountains are mostly in good shape delivering cold filtered water and we recently installed FREE AYCD coffee stations near most major entrances but one thing we do lack is adequate food stations but word on the street is some sort of complimentary small snack kiosks will be provided due to employee feedback from a previous townhall discussion we had with upr management which brings up another important point they do listen (on occasion) and have provided some requests for the upcoming RTO and have even hinted on being flexible on when exactly it needs to be mandatory and which days are required but that can vary by department and leadership however some of the R&R are required cross departments and if you go online you can see the RTO organization and which topics apply to which departments and if your dept has any of the previously mentioned flexibility but your supervisor should have more info if you feel comfortable in directly asking
OP: Which building do you go to?
Some of the newer buildings have good facilities.