sleepy subversion

Over ten years ago I wrote that we need to flip the office. Instead of going to work, we should be going to socialize, converse, and collaborate. Productive solo time is not for the office. Knowledge workers can be productive anywhere but at the office. This is just as pertinent today. There are times when people need to be together, though with video conferencing and proper meeting management we can get a lot done with distributed work.

Even with good meeting practices available and amazing technology, management has consistently been asleep at the wheel. A few years ago I worked with an organization that was returning to hybrid work with some mandated in-office days and some flexible days. I was informed by experienced staff that hybrid work would lose people, as three days in the office and two from anywhere would not be good enough. Who would not agree? Those with families, long commutes, accessibility issues, or people to care for. I was told that it would be a good 40% of people not happy with this type of hybrid work. And soon the attrition accelerated.

Either management has not learned anything over the past decade or management is actively subverting their own workforce to satisfy their need for control. I think that it’s both.

The new year will bring some big changes to the rules on in-office work for many employees across the country — including tens of thousands of provincial government staff in Ontario and Alberta, who will soon be required back in the office full time.

As of Jan. 5, Ontario provincial government employees will be expected to work in the office five days per week.

Alberta’s public service is also returning to full-time, in-office work in February to “strengthen collaboration, accountability and service delivery for Albertans,” a spokesperson for the Alberta government said. —CBC 2026-01-02