This information is both true and false. The Townes organization will be asked to report to the office 5 days a week. That part is true. However, it is within reason. Appointments, commitments, illness, and other life events that occasionally require a manager to work from home are okay. Most of the leadership team is sensitive to the situation and understands this is a new change for many, or a return to the old “normal” for others. Unfortunately, some AVPs and even Directors have gone rogue and taken it upon themselves to get ahead of the game to make their respective business unit look good in an act of self-preservation. There has also been a tremendous amount of snitching and animosity between different AVP BUs because the messages have been unclear. Some teams have already been asked to return to the office five days a week for a minimum of eight hours a day, others are able to work three days with no hour restrictions, etc. This has put some AVPs in a less than desirable position and forced their hand.
Continue doing what your leadership team directs you to do. If you’ve been told to report five days a week, do it. If you’ve been told minimum of three, do it. Do not assume that because a Director or AVP communicates a message to their respective teams that it applies to yours. A blanket message that all members of the Townes organization need to report five days a week covers thousands of employees. This will be communicated in a formal way when that time comes.
People are seeking attention and trying to stir the pot out of anger, frustration, stress, and jealousy. Don’t allow the company to create an environment where weturn on one another. Do what you’re told and stay off the radar for as long as you can.
Rumor is that the number of “sub-core” or “spoke” centers has greatly increased since it was first visited by leadership. That is good news for the organization and should help some - not all - impacted by RTO to stay on-board. It is important to note that the timing I’ve seen on these boards is not accurate. Employees who will be asked to relocate due to not being in any proximity to an organizational office will be notified very soon. That is a factual statement. The rest who are waiting for a “letter” (not mailed btw - delivered electronically in a way that can be documented) that tells them where and when to report could be waiting several months.