Sir Cary Cooper, a professor at the University of Manchester, has strongly criticized companies that are mandating full-time office returns, labeling them as "dinosaurs" who misunderstand their workforce. The expert, who coined the term "presenteeism" in the 1980s, argues that these organizations are out of touch with the needs and capabilities of modern employees.
According to Cooper, firms forcing staff back to the office full-time wrongly perceive their employees as "snowflakes". He emphasizes that the current generation of workers, particularly millennials, are technologically adept and capable of working flexibly. The professor points out that this approach fails to consider the practical challenges faced by employees, such as childcare responsibilities and commuting costs.
"Why I call them dinosaurs is they don't ask, they mandate – this is not what the next generation want. You can call them snowflakes if you want, but they are more IT savvy and know they can work flexibly."
Cooper's comments come in the wake of Amazon's announcement requiring staff to return to the office full-time starting next year. This decision aligns with a growing trend among UK chief executives, as a KPMG survey reveals that 83% of bosses now expect a full-time return to office, up from 64% a year ago.
The concept of presenteeism, which Cooper introduced four decades ago, refers to employees working ineffectively when ill due to fear of repercussions. He notes that this phenomenon worsened after the 2007-2008 financial crisis and has remained a concern through the recent pandemic and subsequent economic challenges.
In contrast to the push for office returns, the UK government is preparing to make flexible working a "default" right. Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, has criticized previous efforts to force workers back to the office, describing them as "bizarre". He argues that flexible working arrangements can enhance employee resilience and productivity.
The upcoming policy changes aim to boost productivity by offering more flexibility at work. However, business leaders have expressed concerns about the practical implementation of these new rights.
As the debate continues, it's clear that the landscape of work is evolving. With technological advancements enabling remote work and changing attitudes towards work-life balance, companies and policymakers must navigate these shifts carefully to ensure both productivity and employee well-being.