Thread regarding Ford layoffs

@1yqt+1qpIQ7R3

I think the point was made by some mis-guided C-level and it had to do with a Software Designed Vehicle. Take it for what that's worth. However, your point that simply driving is beneficial to employees that work for a car company...what? I guess if you are going to give every commuting employee a (new) Ford to drive...then maybe..but again...what? Does commuting help people build a better car...I guess maybe? We work for a car company...thus...we should drive a car, along with every other mindless fool on the road that puts your life at risk daily.....this is quite the lazy argument. Doesn't mean that people need to do that driving getting to work. plenty is done on personal time to meet this criteria if that's even valid. Tesla is essentially a data and software company. Today, almost every company is driven by data. Software drives these vehicles to a significant degree. Maybe the reason Tesla is selling EV's that people actually buy is because they have figured this out and Ford has not.

@1lkc+1qpIQ7R3. Sure, time is wasted in the office. Time is also wasted from home offices on a large scale. No one likes to commute. It is time that could be used for something else. But to say that no one benefits from commuting is lacking awareness. How long have you worked in the automotive industry? Do you understand what the business is? Are you someone that believes the nonsense that Ford is a data company? Do you think you are working for Apple? Ford makes vehicles. It is beneficial to Ford for people to have a reason to get from point A to point B, and to do so frequently. It is also beneficial for people designing, building, and marketing vehicles to actually experience them as their intended customers do. Since WFH started I have put very little mileage on my vehicles. It is great. A vehicle that I was thinking would need replacing in 2022 will last several more years at this rate.

The potential time wasting that happens at the office is sometimes staggering. As a previous poster has stated you all know it. Yes collaboration is something that can happen. However, 20-30 minutes on average wasted on drive time twice a day...no one is benefiting from commute time at all. If you have un productive people working from home then address that. Purchasing more office space isn't the answer. If you have office space that is sitting empty and as a company feel like you are loosing money..then I see this logic. I don't see the logic in just purchasing more property to house people simply to "bring them in". There are plenty of other things Ford can "waste" money on. How about investing a little more in QC at the plants and testing to avoid some of these quality issues like bolts coming off the damn axles. Don't talk to me about coming into the office...sell some office space and invest in your quality control.

Whoever said "experts" agree that working together in a office environment is productive is pure bunk. The fact is that "experts" don't agree on this, as some recent studies actually indicate that there is no measurable advantage to working in an office environment. Besides that, who are these so-called "experts"? I've worked in an office environment for decades, does that qualify me as an expert? I'd certainly say it does. People making these claims about RTO are typically just bitter about remote work because they themselves have jobs that cannot be completed anywhere but on-site, so they make these claims almost as if they believe that saying it enough will make it happen. Everyone else making these claims are doing so to force more consumer spending ... gas/auto maintenance, dining, apparel, etc. The fact of the matter is that Ford has significantly reduced its ability to seat employees full time, and they're in no position financially to start putting up new buildings to accommodate wide spread socializing that typically happens in the offices when everyone is there. One unproductive person at home becomes two or more in the office when he or she returns and starts making rounds to socialize. If you've been in the office you know what I mean. This RTO discussion is primarily all about jealousy and/or the economy, and thats it.

@1drb+1qpIQ7R3 No point in keeping an office building in an area where no business investment is coming. It is better to build and sell homes, with some small commercial tenants in between.

@vrm+1qpIQ7R3 yep, this was a big one:

unbelievable really they must build those things super cheap these days

disposable giant buildings, who would have thought

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2023/11/16/former-ford-office-building-in-dearborn-being-torn-down/71606246007/

Well the minute that order comes down to my team, that is when my search for another position will intensify (always be looking is what I say). I agree with the poster that referenced the room and the real-estate. Nearly impossible if you don't have the space. Therefore, trim the staff you don't have room for - makes sense for them. If it comes down to it (don't meet target, or just selected randomly) I'll be ready to tell Ford goodbye. I'm not counting on the C-level leadership (or even my direct leadership) to do anything aside from cover their hind ends when it comes to anything. Just like any other company this size most people are just there to deflect blame and avoid work. There are about 20% that really work but there is no way they can handle all of the load. Therefore, the other 80% that lags does at least a little to absolutely not break the back of the talent.

All this while we throw money at Model e and watch them get showered wit praises.

As much as I disagree with “Town Hall Guy” with his koolaid drinking, I’m going to have to agree with him on this one. You realize how much real estate Ford has sold off? There is no way in he-l that they can bring every single employee back to the office full time. They don’t have the room. As far as finding an excuse to lay off people…..with Ford, anything is possible

@kmz+1qpIQ7R3

THERE you are Town Hall Guy! How are you buddy?! Hope that kool-aid is tasting great this morning! You'd be good to take this advice as well. The political capital you think you may have means nothing. Good luck to you my friend. I hope you still post here after they let you go too!!

Experts have said that working together in the office is a net benefit to the company. Collaboration, idea generation, etc, you've all heard it.

Ford leadership supports this as well, they have mentioned in the Town Halls and All-hands meetings at all levels. Do your part.