An epic post-pandemic workplace culture clash is heating up this summer, pitting bosses who want everyone back in the office against workers who have embraced autonomy and flexibility. Even if leaders won’t say it publicly, many want to see workers at their desks. Presenter Isabel Berwick talks to organizational behavior expert Professor Anita Woolley about why CEOs won’t give up control – and why staff are always likely to resist their demands.
Then the FT’s chief UK business correspondent, Dan Thomas, tells Isabella about the current state of office occupancy and business leaders’ secret frustrations with staff refusing to undertake (increasingly expensive) travel. The pair discuss whether looming recessions and economic woes could give business leaders the upper hand.
I want more?
Office backfires as UK workers embrace flexible working – Dan Thomas and Ella Hollowood
https://www.ft.com/content/5ed49b8a-6c69-418c-9a26-7f43a99b1d1f
Why CEOs are so WTF about working from home – Gillian Tett opinion column
https://www.ft.com/content/8a3f1fa7-8c0c-4068-b0d9-f12c84f0b8d6
Stanford professor Nick Bloom’s WFH research – lots of useful data here
https://wfhresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/WFHResearch_updates_June2022.pdf
…and why asking for five days a week in the office means fewer workers agree
https://twitter.com/I_Am_NickBloom/status/1534535041702711296/photo/1
FT subscriber? Sign up for the weekly Working it out newspaper. We cover all things workplace and management – plus exclusive reporting on trends, tips and
what comes next One-click registration at www.ft.com/newsletters
We love to hear from you. What do you like (or not)? What topics should we cover? Email the team at [email protected] or Isabel directly at [email protected]. Follow @isabelberwick on Twitter
Subscribe to Working it out wherever you get your podcasts – and leave us a review!
Presented by Isabel Berwick. Editorial direction by Renée Kaplan and Manuela Zaragosa. Sound design is by Breen Turner, with original music by Metaphor Music. Produced by Novel.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Transcripts are not currently available for all podcasts, see our accessibility guide.
