So I been working from home for over a year now. Anyone know if there have been any talks to make this a permanent option? Hearing a rumor that the AT&T Labor department is trying to get us back in the office. I don't see why they would push that if working from home is producing the same numbers as working in the office.
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Everything changes. In the past there's been FTO, then lots of WFH, and then reversed. And Corporate Real Estate has input in this because they manage the leased/owed properties. Every time a VP picks up a new team, it's possible for all of it to change.
It does differ from organization to organization, but there is one common thread. You'll note there is still reluctance, and/ or, they still require very high level (like EVP) approval on changing someone to full time telecommuter status. Folks that have not been in the office for over a year now are still coded as FTO (full time office). In my group we have to go in weekly and code our hours as telecommuting. Word is they will be changing us over to FOW (flex office worker) at some point (when the "all clear" is given to return to offices), with the expectation that we're going into the office at least once a week (not the "at least 3" times per week we heard in the past). The fact that they're saying only once a week, to me means in reality, most people probably won't go in at all. Yet still, they are stating clearly that full time remote or telecommuter status will be very rare, only for those documented as requiring those accommodations and will require that official approval from on high.
It’s definitely a division by division issue depending on the type of work. There is no blanket rule here, but the standard 5days in the office for everyone is a thing of the past.
That said, I hate working from home and am certainly less productive. It’s not a one-size fits all.
AT&T loves Biden. Biden ended the pandemic. Working from home means that the pandemic isn't really over. Therefore, you must go back. To support Creepy Joe.
Management is up in arms that non-management has been allowed to work from home. That is supposed to be a privilege only management gets.
They will soon have everyone return to the workplace, how else can they be assured we are not smoking on the job..
There has been so much less time lost due to illness and disability and fmla since workers have been allowed to work from home I truly cannot imagine any logical person wanting to stop people working from home and up those illness and disability numbers. It has been noticed at every level that calling in sick and disabilities have almost vanished with people who are working from home. How much more work they are getting for the same pay is huge.
I get much more work accomplished working from home for many reasons, no distractions, I'm fresh when I start work, I don't feel like I am forced to waste 2 or more hours of my own (unpaid) time each day on commute to/from and standing around waiting for lunch to be over, pleasant surroundings.
I can be considered "headcount" just as easily whether working from home or having to go into an office.
Having way better than excellent attendance and having seen how good those management and engineers have it getting to work from home, whenever we are forced back into the workplace I plan to start riding that illness and disability train myself.......
I know people that for 20 years or more have not worked more than 6 months of any year and still got paid the same as people who showed up every day.. We all should become those...
ask your Director what the plan is for your org. I know many people who have been told they are, for all intents and purposes, remote workers now and no change in sight.
@ejn+1an7xJv9 said: "Because collaboration zones."
That made me laugh out loud in real life. When one of the SVPs burped that out in a 'townhall' a few years back as a way of justifying eliminating the flex option I actually asked how that could be possible when my team had two people in El Segundo, two in Denver, one in Dallas, one in Missoula, one in Florida, and one in New Orleans and we used WebEx for meetings.
She didn't have a satisfactory answer.
Just more of that sparkling T senior exec brilliance!
DTV did not renew leases for two buildings in El Segundo so I doubt they expect everyone to come back. Most who work there can WFH and many have moved out of California. If they expect people to go back + having to wear a mask all day at their desk they can add another to the non-renewal list.
Some micromanagers have a very hard time without having a sea of minions they can lay eyes on as they walk through their domain. How else can you demonstrate that you have complete control?
What kinda work do you from home?
"but it's the way it works in capitalism" ok if you says so - spoken like a true intelligent woke att employee.
Because collaboration zones.
WFH was slated as a TEMPORARY situation for most employees due to COvID. Most folks will return to the office and be either on a standard office schedule of Flex schedule (2-3 days/week mandatory at the office).
This is very much a division by division thing, so some executives may choose to be more lenient and allow WFH for longer or grant exemptions to some folks,but you can expect to returning to the office between the June-August timeframe.
Lots of people are gonna realize how sh—y commuting daily is all for the pleasure of T management, but it's the way it works in capitalism. Your not a big boy/girl enough to be trusted to manage yourself...