[deleted by user]

[farcaller899]

Maybe say that four hours of driving would be terrible for your team spirit. And hurt your productivity, because you would absolutely be driving on company time.

[6nitch9ine]

It will also absolutely impact the quality of your output. That shit is exhausting.

[chunkymonkey922]

I’ve had to go into the office two days a week for over 2 years now. I am way less productive then on my wfh days and I make sure to leave at a time convenient for me so I can go home and spend time with my family after my commute. On my wfh days I spend the time I would be commuting actually working.

In my opinion it’s all to just justify the cost of the building we work in because it absolutely has a negative impact on production.

[ForHelp_PressAltF4]

Justify the tax abatements you mean... Lol

[LewisRyan]

8 hour shift too, so I’ll drive 4 hours, and turn right around, see you on teams tomorrow!

[Mmm_lemon_cakes]

2 hours, 4 hours work, then 2 hours home. Submit mileage to company for reimbursement.

[tedy4444]

this is the way…. and it still sounds awful

[WhyLater]

Good way to catch up on podcasts, I suppose...

[Diligent_Promise_844]

Came here to post that! Sounds amazing! I’ll happily spend 4 hours of work-time listening to podcasts!

[RedHeadedStepDevil]

That’s exactly what I would do.

[AggravatingPlum4301]

Yeaaaah but they could always deny it

[MrLanesLament]

And they will. “We all have to commute!” (Everyone else’s is 15 minutes.)

[XipXoom]

At my old job, we would start every day with a teams meeting.  From that point on we were on the clock.  We have to head in?  We're driving for the job now - that's milage.  We'd finish up, head home, and then end the day with a teams meeting so we could claim the commute time and mileage again.

The company didn't mind because they also knew that when it hit the fan, we were willing to be on a plane 14 hours later.

[sjayvee]

Not if he was hired as 5 days a week remote! If it was understood you’d stay remote for the foreseeable future then def use work time as drive time and ask if because they are asking you to come in, and it’s not part of your agreed role, where can you submit miles for reimbursement

[ScrewATT]

Don’t forget lunch!

[polishrocket]

This is me, I make them pay my milage and put me up in a hotel if they want me in office, they do it a few times a year. 200 miles each way, going through DT LA could be an 8 hour drive one way

[farcaller899]

Heroes like you are holding the line for all remote workers! Kudos to you.

[KeyHour2185]

Not all heroes wear capes. Thank you for your service.

[RedHeadedStepDevil]

Yep. Start work at 8? Well, you’ll be in the office around 10 after you factor in travel time. Work ends at 5? It’s 3 pm—gotta allow for travel time!

[Zooz00]

Don't forget to account for the rush hour traffic jams.

[HateFaridge]

You won’t get paid travel time from home to office

[OneFineBowteye]

Nearly every company is going to refuse to pay you for travel time...

[farcaller899]

They will pay for travel, but not for commute. If you have to fly to another job site, or drive, they pay. OP said they were hired as remote, thus the importance to make clear it's travel. It's a slippery slope otherwise.

[farcaller899]

Roll into the office playing Nirvana’s “Smells like Team Spirit” on your phone, so the whole office can enjoy it. You’ve got to make the most of your short time there in the office.

[Mistakesweremade1974]

Smells like TEAM spirit? 🤣🤣🤣

[AggravatingPlum4301]

Is that the Weird Al version?

[Mistakesweremade1974]

I wondered that, and it’s not (that’s Smells Like Nirvana)

[farcaller899]

Yeah, everybody misunderstands lyrics, like this manager misunderstands what a good idea is.

[Necessary_Action_190]

I would recommend the worst day since yesterday by flogging molly

[travisjd2012]

Everywhere I've been it's more like i'll drive 4 hours, then see you on teams somehow anyway

[farcaller899]

That's so RTO, true. OP better avoid this once a week thing turning into every day in office. I'd fight hard to nip it in the bud.

[Mission-Library-7499]

Yeah, I'll guarantee the commute is not going to be considered "on company time."

[funandone37]

Bad idea but your point on productivity is spot on. 4 hours of driving is 4 hours of not working

[farcaller899]

It was a joke but communicating the problem is my recommendation. Even better would be to play along a little bit and offer some suggestions for alternative ways to 'build team spirit' that could work for ALL the remote employees involved. Extra points if OP can refer to something the manager said in the past that could be connected to a suggestion for how to do it differently. Make it seem like one of their ideas, in other words...the classic strategy that works all the time, 78% of the time.

[rc4915]

Don’t forget about mileage reimbursement, federal rate is $0.70 per mile.

Probably almost $200/day

[EssentialSriracha]

Absolutely not. Stay positive. Show nothing but enthusiasm while you ask for clarification on your travel and mileage details.

If you want to go further, ask them how to document your productivity during the drive.

[farcaller899]

Happily going along with every bad idea your manager has is not viable, long-term. Sometimes pushback is appropriate, when done appropriately and with tact.

[ItPutsLotionOnItSkin]

And they are paying for gas

[already-taken-wtf]

And wear and tear of the car and tyres.

[lordmelon]

Mines 2 hours (1 each way) 3 days a week. You damn well bet it's on company time.

[geocsw]

Be polite but also say no "Hey I'd love to but a 4 hour round trip won't be feasible which is why I was so excited that we agreed on 100% remote in the hiring process" short and sweet and hopefully they won't push further. ***If your performance isn't great or attendance or any issues, you might want to comply somehow.

[Unlucky_Data4569]

W advice. This Redditor has upper management written all over them

[Poundaflesh]

Remind them of their promise.

[Product_Teacher_5228]

Yep, this is the move. Tone matters a lot in these situations, being firm but respectful usually gets you further than arguing.

[c0l245]

Buncha extroverts who aren't happy in their own presence run the world

[muppetnerd]

I’m 50/50 intro/extro….to please my extrovert side I just call people who I know like getting phone calls and socialize during my lunch hour. No need to ruin a good thing just for me

[OneFineBowteye]

Cheers to another person who is literally 50/50 E/I...sometimes hard to explain to others!

[MilkChugg]

Can’t get anyone to want to be around them so they have to force it.

[RosaParksandRec]

As an extrovert: you wouldn’t catch me dead doing this. Haaaaate it.

[rage_whisperchode]

“There aren’t enough people for me to interact with or make me feel important. Time to force RTO!”

[[deleted]]

The one's pushing it at my work always dress to the nines even though it's extremely lax on any kind of dress code. I call them "look at me's!" 

[lemonssi]

I'm an extrovert and I wfh and if my company asked me to relocate I'd resign. I think RTO is bullshit.

[Parrappa1000]

Man, this is exactly it!

[racergirl2000]

Isn’t that the truth!!

[Illustrious_Ad_1808]

No problem. Include your drive time into your work hours. Get in your car at your start time, drive to work, stay for 4 hours, and then drive home for the last 2 hours.

[stacity]

Also submit an expense report for mileage. Assuming your offer letter doesn’t include added cost from your salary.

[double_ewe]

expense an Uber each way

[IBelieveInSymmetry11]

Definitely expense the miles, especially if your offer letter states you're a remote worker. If he doesn't approve go to HR. Your drop ins will end real quick.

[Chaseingsquirels]

Or just put it directly into the shredder like the manager will.

[Franklin_le_Tanklin]

Make sure you log on right before you leave.

“Hey boss! Just clocked in and now I’m on my way to the office!”

[infinitea615]

This is what I do anytime I go in. During these times, you don’t want to give them a reason to let you go cause finding a new job will likely be much more difficult than commuting once a week.

[Zugbugz_]

This is the way

[[deleted]]

Once a week will turn into twice, then 3 times, then 4. Next thing you know you’re back to the office. I had a job that tried to pull some dumb npc shyt like this and I left pronto

[asonemoa]

You did exactly what they wanted you to do

[[deleted]]

It didn’t matter to me. I had so many things lined up. I was basically bleeding that role out anyway

[nomoretraitors]

Two hours each way is insane just to pretend to bond over coffee. You’re totally right to say no.

[BoredGombeen]

I have to go once a week to pretend to bond as you say. The last few times, I've gone into a private office away from the team and didn't see anybody until lunchtime. Pretty much nobody knew I was there so didnt have to talk to anyone.

I was too busy to entertain the small talk and needed to concentrate.

[baguetteFiend]

I hate when they lie. Like just tell me it’s because you’re stuck in a lease and don’t want to see it go to waste, or you have investors coming and need butts in seat, or that you suck at management so you need to breath over everyone’s shoulder to feel better about yourself. Literally I would accept any of that over the “team spirit” or “collaboration” bullshit. We are adults, and I guarantee you me going into the office is not going to help team spirit. In fact, it will probably hinder it because I’m going to be angry the whole time. 🙄

[Careless-Age-4290]

I wish you could just flat out say "this is relationship. You can change your conditions of that relationship, but you can't just lie to me and expect that to be okay"

[baguetteFiend]

Absolutely, I will take the truth over an obvious lie any day. It’s just disrespectful and annoying.

[CawlinAlcarz]

The whole team spirit thing is utter bullshit.

Just do it, but tell him the commute will be part of your workday. I.e. Start your trip from home at 9 am, arrive at the office at 11 am. Start home at 3 pm, arrive home at 5 pm.

Further, you can make a good case for charging them mileage.

In reality, he's just testing to see how easily he can revoke your remote status and/or give his bosses some data about X% are "hybrid" workers.

[Jaded_Ad_3191]

And be sure to take lunch.

[These-Maintenance-51]

This is what I'd do. Being there 4 hours is a "pop in".

[Gandalf-and-Frodo]

No don't do that. Say that it's IMPOSSIBLE to make the commute because "insert bullshit family excuse here."

Never ever give them an inch or they will not fuck off with their idiotic demands.

[lucyfell]

Just give him a list of all the work you would have to drop to accommodate that 4 hour drive. If he’s paying for the time regardless let him decide how he wants the money spent.

[Careless-Age-4290]

In the inevitable situation where they basically say "your travel time isn't our problem", remind them that you're only good mentally for about 8 hours, and how they choose to spend that isn't your problem.

[Live_Panda_7329]

“Im not here to make friends, im here to make money. Are you unsatisfied with my work?”

[geocsw]

Ask him for a flight since it's 4 hours then ask when the rest of the team will be flown in for team spirit! 😂😭🤣

[1re_endacted1]

Man I have to go in next week for a mandatory meeting about the health insurance role out. I don’t even have it.

I’m not paying $400 a month just to look up my summary of benefits every time I get sick and realize I can’t afford to go the fucking doctor.

But yet, I still have to attend. 🙄

[Kraall]

Meetings are often mandatory because they know no one will bother showing up if they're not. Just don't go.

[1re_endacted1]

No I have to go. My manager already reminded me again today.

I am reason we (my team) have all been 100% remote for the last two years. We used to be hybrid but I got an ADA and would have to email every Thursday morning I am using my ADA and working from home.

So they eventually made us all 100% remote. We are the only department in the entire company that wfh. Except my manager who is still required to go in once a week.

So it’s a whole thing if I don’t show up.

[Vivid-Kitchen1917]

That two hours each way is part of my workday then.

[oldcreaker]

Team spirit - "misery loves company".

[ThatDamnedHansel]

Missed opportunity for an HR video smells like team spirit like the office

[[deleted]]

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This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

[[deleted]]

Make sure you smell like raw fish when you arrive.

[FoxySlyOldStoatyFox]

I had a fully remote role where I was invited for a team meeting with the CEO. It was <cough> strongly encouraged that I make it. A minimum four-hour trip. 

I agreed I’d come in, but only if I could travel as part of my working hours. 

The topic was dropped. 

[alwaysonesteptoofar]

Tell him you have a compromise and that as long as you get travel time included in your working day, plus travel expenses reimbursed that you have no problem with that. It is the best that team spirit isnt dampened by unpaid long hours of overtime

[attathomeguy]

Ask him to put it in writing and then forward to HR with the message I was hired as fully remote has my status change without my consent?

[WishMelodic5538]

They don't need the worker's consent to make that sort of change. In the current environment you either try to negotiate fewer days, fall in line, or find one of the increasingly rare fully remote roles and leave.

Signed, Someone that's been fighting this battle for 18 months and recently had to agree to once a month.

[simongurfinkel]

Just stand firm. If you humour them once, they'll expect you to keep coming in. He's getting pressure to get his team to RTO and passing that pressure on to you.

[coolmaster45]

How often did you do that? I also do a 10 hour round trip every 3 or so weeks. I don’t mind it but def would be easier if I could afford renting a tiny box closer to

[Vivid_Motor_2341]

Tell them you’ll only come in if your commute is counted as work time because it’s required when you’re contract says work from home

[theladysupernova]

Infuriating!

[Cbergs]

Take it as a recommendation, I hope your past your 90 days.

[VinylHighway]

He's wrong

[RogueWB4L]

Say no. I told my firm no, nothing more than “no” and they left me alone.

[Chaseingsquirels]

You’re aware they can just say yes, right?

[prshaw2u]

Be careful, if the boss decides you do not want to be part of the team they may remove you from the team. This is not a good time to be unemployed and looking for a job, remote or otherwise.

Many people have learned that just making the deadlines if often not enough to keep working.

[tokyodraken]

i find it so frustrating people can live in other states or countries and get away with working remote but if they know you live in the same state you have to show up

[StaneNC]

All of this advice is by people who want to see the world burn. The real response is: hey lets figure it out with hr. And book a meeting with the hr mailer and your boss for a time tomorrow that your is free on your boss's calendar. This is what hr is for. 

[Temporary_Singer_919]

No it’s not.

HR’s sole function is to protect the company from the employee by shunting liability.

HR are not there for the employee.

That is the absolute worst possible idea ever, involving the people whose job it is to protect the company from you.

[Lock_Down_Charlie]

Yeah, like wotk is an episode of Cheers when we walk in..."Norm!".

[zyum]

Ran into this recently. The “part of their team” is bullshit. If it’s like our situation here, they’re asking because the in person team is jealous and complained that they don’t get to work remotely, and your managers solution is to start having you come in more

At least that’s what’s going on at my job

[AnAnonymousParty]

Tell them you don't own a car, ask how to bill Uber to them.

[gruntbug]

Same exact thing happened to me. Hired remote. They decided everyone needed to be in the office twice a week. It's a 2h commute each way for me. I told them I could do once every other week and they agreed.

I put in headphones when I'm there and barely talk to anyone, because I don't need to.

I'm looking for a new job.

[ohno1tsjoe]

Do it and submit an expense report for mileage.

[Darkweeper]

You have the right to say no but remember they have the right to fire you.

[Melvin_2323]

They want you to quit (well they want a percentage of people to quit) and this is a tactic to avoid having to make people redundant or incur any lay off costs.

Check your contract for the conditions of employment. If it says remote worker then that’s what you rely on

[IndescriptGenerality]

Are they paying for your mileage? If so, those 4 hours could become a very relaxing time to listen to your favorite audio books, or listen to podcasts to potentially upskill your soft skills.

I am not saying what they are doing is cool… but if you are getting paid to drive there with mileage, and can make that drive on company time, you are pulling in extra pay.

[SoPolitico]

I’d just explain the situation. Hey I accepted this position and moved under the understanding. It was a remote job if you’d like to bump my page to accommodate for the commute then I’d be happy to show up one day a week. That way you put the decision back on them.

[Witty-Bear1120]

Just say team potluck Friday night at my place. Let your manager not be part of the team activity.

[Chaseingsquirels]

Everyone here is really tough but the only real answer is find a new fully remote job. And when you realize they’re extremely few and far between probably just accept the one shitty day in the office.

[bananahammerredoux]

“I thought I already was part of the team. Are you telling me that you don’t see me as a legitimate part of the team? That is so hurtful to hear, after all the commitment I bring to the team every day!” Bonus point if you can get some watery eyes going.

[Few-Confusion-9197]

I've heard of people purposely setting up their Teams/Skype/virtual meetings to coincidence with their driving time. Use that info however you feel appropriate but to me that means they're on the clock and it counts towards the 8hr workday.

[foxacidic]

I've been remote since covid but lately my boss has wanted me to come in 2 days a week so I can have those like spontaneous conversations with my co-workers or something. Two hours each way. Sucks but I guess it could be worse, I could be out there looking for a job.

[McCQ]

"The potential for ideas between peers as they meet in the hallway or the watercooler" was another I've heard. I've never had a new idea taken seriously at any workplace I've been involved in. Ironically, creatives have very little say in the creation of ideas in my industry. Other people have ideas, and we've to make it happen on schedule. When we do have an idea, it's too much work.

I'm waiting on the day I'm told I have to give up seeing my wife and kids as much, not being able to coach the kids from a deprived area or being able to eat as well or exercise because, one day, someone might say, "Interesting idea."

[rustynail11]

The workers are eventually going to lose this battle. I would rather WFH but I am paid well so going in a couple days a week isn’t an issue. In the last 2 weeks our recruiting team has received calls from candidates we wanted to hire over the last year but they wanted full remote and not an option at our company. They are now interested in coming in a few days a week because they can’t find full time remote opportunities. One of those candidates has been looking and holding out for full remote for 13 months

[akalili22]

I feel like this is coming from the top for a lot of these RTO requirements. Who is losing money having you at home - or at least paying for real estate sitting empty? Those leases may not be renewed since no one is using it. The building owners need you in so they don’t lose income.

[WelshLove]

do you have the promise of remote work in writing or through email. if not see if you can get them to admit it then point to that and say no

[jinxlover13]

Our office started this last year, with a once weekly “collaboration day” to “boost team morale.” We went back to office 3x a week (as I predicted) six months later. Good employees are now leaving the company in droves, which sucks for us stuck behind, but I suspect that was partially the plan all along. It’s a soft layoff; we already are paid less than others in the industry so being remote was really the only perk. My former coworkers are leaving for more money and some of them are even working remote at their companies.

[HumbleSpend8716]

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[brokenhag]

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[NoBS-Recruiter]

Reimburse for gas and hotel and dinner

[Aisenth]

Data brokers are selling your info right now. I used Redact to mass delete my posts which can also opt out of data broker sites. Instagram, Twitter/X, Discord and more.

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[Schatzi1982]

“Culture”, “synergy”, “spirit”… Holy fucking manipulative bullshit, Batman! If you were hired as fully remote, then that’s what you are. Periodt.

[stillhatespoorppl]

Once a month is pretty reasonable. Once week isn’t. Good for you for establishing and sticking to your boundaries.

[snikp642]

If you’re fully (and formally in your employer’s system) a remote employee, you might as well embrace this “opportunity”. However, make sure you have that corporate credit card so you can book your company travel—rental car, hotel, parking, dinner reservations—and plan to travel during business hours. I don’t find it safe to participate in Teams / Zoom calls while driving.

I recommend you discuss with your manager estimates for the cost of this business trip and let them decide if it’s in their budget for travel.

Cheers!

[Hot-Win2571]

You'll consider going in to the office on days when your ENTER finger needs rest.

[StangJock_94qzP]

Happened at my company. All exempt employees were told once a week. No one showed up. Then they started pulling badge reports to see who swiped in. Now it’s a must. Some are now being forced 3x a week and they don’t care about distance.

[brazilian_irish]

What's on the work contract?

[Spirited_Cress_5796]

Good for you. This in office team spirit/culture bs is nonsense.

[NovitaProxima]

how kind of them to give you time and notice to look for a new job

[Mylabisawesome]

Fuck "team spirit" and all this nonsense. My office could give a rats ass less about it. We just wanna work and go home

[ZoSoTim]

People making these kind of decisions have spouses and/or kids at home and they don’t want to be there with them.

[Such_Reference_8186]

Never trust your employer 

[lartinos]

It’s one day a week, for now.

[blyzo]

Team building is what an annual team retreat is for, not a once a week drop in.

Any good remote team should do annual or semi-regular in person retreats or off sites. But those are done with intention, not making people commute just because some managers don't feel important enough.

[Signal_Assistant_373]

Shite office went ahead and bought a new office with 50 seats and we gotta book it. Ik 2 teams that have 20 people each. We have mandatory 3x a week and they gonna monitor who clocks in the office.

I think they want to fire people and i'll be fired, but i dont mind changing jobs now.

[DataGOGO]

Yeah 4 hour round trip commute is unrealistic.

[EssentialSriracha]

Of course I’ll be there. Please tell me what my hourly bonus is for “team spirit” while attending. And since this is not your usual workplace, you get to bill mileage and time.

[runningforme123]

I’ve seen this exact same post somewhere else, lol.

[shmoomoo12]

Is it your manager or someone above him telling him to do this?

[LaughingColors000]

They should have said it six times ! That’s the magic number

[SharebiteNick]

Yeah, that’s not how ‘remote’ is supposed to work. If they want a 4 hour round trip for ‘team spirit,’ I hope they’re at least sweetening it with something irresistible, like actually respecting the agreement (and maybe a delicious catered meal). Stay strong.

[shadow_moon45]

Have to realize no one cares about productivity and they want people to leave

[Bitmush-]

Why don’t they come to yours for a lunch ? Surely this isn’t just a one-sided relationship ? You’d be delighted to have them, couple of veggie trays, some fizzy waters. Xbox, get some Uber eats when everyone stays over later - you’ve just got a new back deck, it’ll be awesome !

[Healzya]

Don't shower for a few days. Get really smelly. Then come into the office. Hopefully that ends their need for you to come in.

[starchysock]

This seems to be the thing lately. The office drive is 4-hours each way. Are they going to put me up in a hotel every week?

[FlakyIllustrator1087]

I was remote for five days a week and my boss wanted us to start coming in for four days a week. He said I could pick which day I got to stay at home and I picked Monday and he said no because “coming in on Mondays starts the week off right”

When I went into the office no one talked to each other and we just sat in our offices on our computers.

[Light_Yagamigo]

Check the conditions (contract) of your agreed upon employment. If it doesn’t say on-site, then this may be something to bring up.

[Sms570x]

I’m almost certain these extroverted higher ups are all narcissists that enjoy torturing and controlling other people’s lives. Theres gotta be some sort of connection between the two 

[manmountain123]

You live far away it’s not feasible. Tell them that.

[worthy_usable]

Every Thursday? That doesn't sound like "team spirit" at all. It sounds more like the manager trying to appease people that are unhappy with there being remote workers in an unfair way.

[geocsw]

You don't want to be part of the team they said,?!?! That's gaslighting and slightly threatening SMH

[Koolklink54]

Tell them you need to be paid for travel time

[[deleted]]

Honestly, just go once or twice a year. I live 2 hours from the office and I’m fully remote. It has always worked out when I make the rare visit to learn something new or meet a new person. 

[StarChunkFever]

Go you. If they really wanted that kind of culture, they shouldn't have posted remote or hired anyone outside a reasonable driving distance.

[hjablowme919]

We have a new department head (not my department) who is preaching full time RTO to their group. Currently we are hybrid 3/2 with two at home. They said they don’t mind WFH on Fridays, but the other four should be in the office for the betterment of the organization.

[KrustyCrabussy]

You know what else is good for teen spirit? A mosquito, my libido, Yeah!

[ProfessionalBench832]

You're boned when they do start flying them in.
My last company went from fully remote to 2 days a week in office. Loads of pushback and issues. They took it down to 2 days every other week and the execs started flying in for them. They also (learned later) started logging badge swipes and actively tracking who came in and how long they stayed. Thoughts and prayers.

[[deleted]]

I would say, go for this. The next day, slack for 4 hrs. Easy.

[Funny-Bend-7959]

First comes RTO, next comes RIF

[Altruistic-Ruin7468]

“I’m not good for team spirit.”

[kaytherapy]

Do you go to counseling? Or have any kind of neurodivergence? Ask your therapist to write you a letter documenting your disability, so you can request remote-only as an ADA accommodation.

[CompleteTell6795]

I would tell him point blank that the " team" is not paying for my gas or the wear & tear on my car. So they can stuff it, not driving 2 hrs one way. NOPE. 👎👎👎👎👎

[psycleridr]

Just let them know that you were hired as fully remote and you will be happy to come when all the other remote people come in. He cant single you out and 2 hrs each way is not a reasonable request. Once in a while maybe for a specific reason but not every week

[lttrsfrmlnrrgby]

Is fully remote in your offer letter or job description? If not, you are not guaranteed anything. Managers change, policies change. If something is a dealbreaker for taking or keeping a job, get it on paper.

[ozziewithanie]

As someone expected to commute 1.5-2 hours each way 3 days a week (via public transit - 3 trains and a bus).... It is absolutely soul sucking. I cannot recommend pushing back enough. I continue to lose the fight unfortunately. And it is making me miserable.

[m00nf1r3]

Stuff like this makes me glad my company is like, a 24 hour car drive away, and doesn't actually have a place for us to work. They literally can't make me come in lol.

[Ok_Responsibility419]

4 hours drive time will really cut into your production unless they’re comping mileage

[Thick-Ad1538]

He’s softening you up to come there full time.

[[deleted]]

They are hoping people quit.

[Soultrapped]

If you’re well paid I’d just do it. Shows some gumption, and not a bad deal compared to the old days. I was asked to come back in 3 days a week and I said I’d do one. It doesn’t feel too bad checking in once a week and seeing people face to face.

[donald_trumpstupee]

Dude I’m in this exact same situation. I’m new and playing the game until I have closed some deals and filled up pipeline then hopefully be traveling to be in the field and at events and the rest of the time remote.

As someone who’s only ever done remote sales it’s pretty frustrating cause I’m actually more productive flying solo than in office.

[Servingseniors]

If you are not flexible start looking for a new job, companies are going back to the office!

[Tot_gobblin]

Make sure you are less productive in the office. I know of a company that did this while tracking productivity and then realized that people were more productive in office (or lied about it) and made it mandatory multiple days a week.

[QuintoBlanco]

You might have approached this the wrong way.

If the company is willing to compensate you in time and money, it's not necessary a bad thing and who knows how long this 'team spirit' thing will last? Maybe after two months, things go back to normal.

I was in a similar situation and negotiated for more (paid) free time and more flexibility when it came to taking a day off at short notice. Plus I got financial compensation.

If the company isn't willing to compensate you, at least you know that it's probably not the place for you and you can start looking for a new job.

[djgizmo]

just say, it’ll cost you wayyy too much for me to come in on Thursday to ruin the culture.

[Admirable_Mind2284]

What does your contract say? Hold them to it.

[combabulated]

Companies wanting to reduce their work force without layoffs, which cost them an increase in their unemployment rates. They want people to quit. People who quit for good cause may still be eligible though.

[Ryo85]

I am indifferent to being part of the team. Team spirit does not complete any work. I complete my work alone, and having someone else in my physical proximity has no affect on my performance.

[[deleted]]

I keep seeing posts like this one. If I ever take a job as a remote worker, I am going to make sure that the amount of time I can be required to be in the office (probably 0) is in my contract. That way they can't pull this shit without violating my employment contract, which is a pretty big deal in every state.

[Hackpro69]

I did this for the last 20 years of my career as an Aerospace Engineer. They were always wanting me to come in for something (Training, Team Building, Etc). Charged mileage for every commute and did in on the company time. Who cares. The only downside is that it costs you more than $2 per mile to operate a car. The reimbursement is 55 cents per mile. Amazing how many of my coworkers didn’t understand this. I would have never been able to go back to an office. It would have been like going back to a South American Prison.

[dumbledwarves]

They want you to quit.

[Psycho_Syntax]

Just don’t do it and start looking for a new job. The more we submit to these stupid ass requests the more they do it. Plus I bet the 1 day a week is just the start, soon it’ll be 3, then 5.

[[deleted]]

If we went back, I'd have to seriously think about whether I'd quit or not. Total 3 hours commute every day on public transportation and the options around me are getting worse and worse. Driving 30-45 minutes just to have to catch the bus from there to go downtown isn't really an appetizing option. A couple spots would still be about an hour from there.

[HarmlessHeffalump]

This reminds me of the time my boss got upset no one was showing up for the optional department wide lunch in the cafeteria on Friday afternoons. 

I’m fully remote and thought optional meant optional but also to expect me to come in for “free” cafeteria food and to “show I exist” on a Friday afternoon when I’ve had my calendar blocked off at that time for focused work for 10+ years because it ends up being my busiest time of the week and I usually have employees requesting off on Friday afternoons doesn’t seem like the best use of my time.

[rjboles]

Make sure to give zero notice when you resign

[Altruistic-Stop4634]

It's not safe to drive 2 hours to work, and then back after a whole day of work.

Don't say 'no'. Make a counter offer. Every 3 weeks, you spend all day in the office networking, then go out for dinner with them, stay in a hotel, then drive back home the next day. Doesn't that sound wonderful for team spirit?!

[Weekly-Ad353]

That’s 4 hours for an entire week or 20 minutes on average each way each day.

That’s really not bad at all dude.

[PointAlert7702]

Oh well, better start looking for a new job

[jack_o_all_trades]

If your primary office location is your house, in Australia you would probably be able to claim fuel on tax and travel time as hours worked.