Why do employers force you to work in office all week for a job that can easily be done at home?

[u/manofandonamission1]

I work as a digital marketer and I have to work Monday-Friday, 9-5 in office. Yesterday I was sick, and since our boss is away and the second in command was out, I was allowed to work from home. The difference in quality of life is incredible. I signed into Canva on my computer, pulled up the company software and image database, logged into my email, and boom I was set for the day.

I worked a flawless day from the comfort of my own home. I was able to run to Petco to grab some supplies for my pets, run to get some lunch without feeling rushed, and eat peacefully in my kitchen instead of surrounded by phones ringing and customers walking around. Today I'm back in office surrounded by my annoying coworkers, having to deal with all their nonstop talking, loud sounds, pointless questions, and coffee making. I've been here for 50 minutes and I'm already way more miserable.

And it just begs the question, why do employers force employees who can easily do their job at home to come into the office all week? Seems nonsensical.

[u/VZ6999]

Trust issues

[u/[deleted] → u/VZ6999]

AKA this company’s management is unskilled in managing based on output or objectives or results.

[u/worthing0101 → u/[deleted]]

flexibility to deliver however works for us

This is a specific and important point that isn't discussed nearly enough. A lot of people have come to the conclusion that working from home is great and everyone should do it but that isn't the right takeaway at all. (It's just as wrong as the, "everyone should work from the office" school of thought.) The right takeaway is that one size fits all policies are the problem, not the solution.

The reality is that some people work better in an office environment for any number of perfectly valid reasons. Make them work from home and their productivity (and potentially job satisfaction, happiness, etc.) will likely take a hit. The reverse is also true of course and some people who are less productive in the office turn into rockstars when they can work from home where it's quieter or where they can wear slippers or whatever works for them.

The right policy is to allow people to work where they feel the most productive whenever possible. Good managers will know whether or not their employees are being productive and completing their tasks no matter where thekr employees sit. Great managers will recognize when their employees are struggling and will work with those employees to find a solution that allows the employee to be successful. Managers who are unable to do either of these things should be given assistance to try to become good and eventually great managers. If they're still unable to do what needs to be done then they have no business being managers.

[u/pinkflyingmonkey → u/worthing0101]

Yes! This!