Meta's Office Return Strategy Draws Criticism: Are Corporates Struggling With Trust?

Meta Platforms Inc.'s META recently stirred discussions in the corporate world due to the company's updated return-to-office strategy.

Meta employees will soon be mandated to mark their presence in the office for a minimum of three days a week and utilize badge swipes for attendance tracking. The policy has garnered criticism, with some observers saying it diminished the trust quotient within the organization.

While the Facebook parent had previously introduced a remote work policy in 2021, hints of a shift towards a blended model began emerging this past June. The specifics of this transition were disclosed just last week, with the changes set to take effect from Sept. 5, CNBC reports.

Also Read: Meta's 'Year of Efficiency' Impact: Layoffs Extend To Charitable Organization

“Leaders must make sure that they’re practicing transparency, and that their actions match their words,” Heidi K. Gardner, a renowned scholar at Harvard Law School, told CNBC. “Establishing trustworthiness is an essential part of being a leader, and it takes empathy to create that trust.”

Adding to the trust challenges, Meta's decision to part ways with over 20,000 of its workforce between November 2022 and May 2023 has deepened the chasm of trust.

While Gardner concedes that certain aspects of the new policy, like badge swiping, are standard practices, she opines that the broader directives should be more considerate of individual employee sentiments and needs.

Now Read: Come To Office 3 Days A Week Or You 'May' Lose Your Job: Meta Stresses Return To Office

This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons