Elon Musk tells Tesla employees: Return to the office, or else

[underpants]

https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/01/tech/elon-musk-tesla-ends-work-from-home/index.html

New York (CNN Business)Elon Musk is demanding that Tesla office workers return to in-person work or leave the company.

The policy, disclosed in leaked emails Musk sent to Tesla's executive staff Tuesday, was first reported by electric vehicle news site Electrek.

"Anyone who wishes to do remote work must be in the office for a minimum (and I mean *minimum*) of 40 hours per week or depart Tesla. This is less than we ask of factory workers," Musk wrote, adding that the office must be the employee's primary workplace where the other workers they regularly interact with are based — "not a remote branch office unrelated to the job duties."

Musk said he would personally review any request for exemption from the policy, but that for the most part, "If you don't show up, we will assume you have resigned."

[Johnny2X2X]

1. Sell sell sell

Well, I know one company who's about to experience a serious brain drain and thus lose value.

Seriously, this is Musk speaking to the people who have made him so rich, the people who have invented everything his company makes money off from, the people who have all those amazing ideas he then pretends were his. Elon Musk knows about as much about rockets and battery technology as Donald Trump does about good grammar. And he's crapping all over the people who are his experts and are the drivers of the value of his shares.

[dchill]

2. "...This is less than we ask of factory workers,"

He admitted that? Huh.

[Mariana]

13. Factory workers can't work from home.

That's not a good reason to force those who can work from home to go to the office.

[dchill]

19. Apparently, they're working MORE...

...than 40 hours.

[Mariana]

21. They're probably being scheduled for overtime hours.

I think it's wrong to require hourly employees to work more than 40 hours, but mandatory overtime is pretty common.

That still has no bearing on whether those who can work from home should be forced to commute to the office.

[DBoon]

3. Return to the office, or else ...

... find work with a competitor.

[Eliot Rosewater]

4. Just googled factory pay, $25 an hour? Cheap prick.

That is probably starting pay, but this guy aint no friend of workers, whether office or not.

[patphil]

5. The guy's just asserting his dominance over his staff.

It doesn't have anything to do with productivity; if anything at home workers are willing to put in more than 40 hours a week at home.
But, he wants his workers to do a lot more than 40 hours a week, and believes he needs to "capture" his staff at the office to confirm they are actually working all those hours.
His employees, on the other hand, see a benefit in not having to commute, both in time and money that actually makes it easier for them to spend more time working for Musky at home. Work at home also allows for flexible work scheduling that you can't get at the office.
But he's the boss, and don't you forget it! It's his way or the highway.
I think a lot of his best people will choose the highway.

[anarch]

12. yep, it's not really about the productivity, just about control

I hope at least half or 2/3 of them walk; couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

[underpants]

16. Absolutely

This working at home thing has changed management drastically. No more looking over peoples shoulders. Yes management commutes too but this changed exactly who’s home field they are playing on.

[PufPuf23]

6. Only a matter of time until Musk self-destructs.

Humanity will be better off sans Musk but many will be harmed by his fall.

[yonder]

7. What post #1 said: if you got it, ditch it.

[Hugin]

8. Sounds like a mandate to me...

I thought the wingers were allergic to those and the SCrOTUS said they crimped FREEDUMBS!11i

Double standard... Because, y'know, Musk.

[Javaman]

9. I predict a mass exodus

we have a reasonable liberal policy were I work, but people are still leaving in droves for companies that allow work from home all the time.

the main reason is child care.

They can be home with their little ones and not pay out the ass for day care.

musk is going to find this out the very hard way.

[dalton99a]

10. Tesla's workforce:

[sarcasmo]

11. Or else, I will send your job to China.

[MichMan]

17. If people can work from anywhere as long as they have a computer and phone

Outsourcing remote work at home jobs to people in countries like China, India, and Mexico may end up being a consequence of this trend.

[Mariana]

23. You'd think no jobs had ever been outsourced before this trend.

Outsourcing has been going on for decades. Commuting to an office doesn't make anyone immune from it.

[MichMan]

24. Of course they have.

A lot more jobs than ever before are being performed remotely that people didn't think were ever feasible to do so. That includes employers as well as employees.

How many jobs are done remotely now vs 5 yrs ago?

[Mariana]

22. Everyone I know whose job has been outsourced

was working onsite when it happened. Not one of them was working from home.

[MichMan]

14. Working remotely has further separated workers into two classes

I have worked in manufacturing plants my entire life (both on the line itself & later in a support function) Those directly involved in the manufacturing process (like building a Tesla) and those that support the process like machine/plant repair & maintenance, supplying the line and stocking parts, and product quality do not have the option to work from their living room.

Some support areas like accounting, purchasing, sales, engineering, and HR have been able to work from home for the last two years or more. When I worked in plants, it was made clear to the support staff that while we were a necessary part of doing business, we were actually overhead, and the only part of the business that produced any revenue was the direct manufacturing.

While I can imagine that it may be demoralizing to have to go back to the office after two years of being at home, it can be equally demoralizing for the blue collar plant workers to have to show up for work every day, while others get to work from their living rooms, and if they need help regarding payroll or health benefits, they cant find anyone in the building.

When the Japanese transplants built plants in the US in the 80's, they changed the mindset of how employees were to be respected. They all wore the same uniforms, so the management dressed exactly the same as the assembly line workers, and everyone ate together in the same cafeteria. It was quite different compared to the old school American plants. I believe that gap has again widened between the workers toiling in the plants, and the elite that get to work from home.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

15. Musk is an asshole

[dalton99a]

18. .

Elon Musk and Natasha Bassett were spotted in St. Tropez. MEGA

[pwb]

20. Is that his office?

Way to set the example.