Folks Online Are Discussing Elon Musk Declaring That Remote Work Is “No Longer Acceptable” At Tesla
So, Elon Musk is back in the news. No, unfortunately, it’s not a follow-up to the whole duel he was thinking of having with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. It’s Tesla-related news.
Folks have been talking about the two e-mails from Elon Musk that have been leaked recently, declaring that all Tesla executive staff must return to the office to continue their duties, or else they will be deemed “resigned”, i.e. they won’t need to come back at all.
More Info: Leaked Letters | Musk’s Response
Elon Musk is in the news again, this time for his decision against remote work at Tesla
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Two letters from Elon Musk have been circulating around Twitter as leaked e-mails, asking Tesla execs to return from performing their duties remotely to performing their duties from the office.
E-mails by Elon Musk were leaked, declaring that Tesla execs will now have to spend at least 40 hours per week in the office, with the option to work additional hours remotely
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In his e-mail titled “Remote Work Is No Longer Acceptble” (sic!), he detailed that executives will now have to work from the office for a minimum of 40 hours a week. Hours beyond this minimum can be fulfilled from a remote location, e.g. home.
He also noted that this minimum is less than what is required from factory workers.
Besides this, he also elaborated in this, as well as his next e-mail, that “office” means the office that the employee belongs to, their branch with their colleagues, and not a location in a different state or one where he or she wasn’t hired to perform their duties.
There was a second e-mail clarifying what onsite work means
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In the next e-mail, Musk elaborated that the more senior an employee is, the more visible they have to be (whatever visibility here means). He gave an example of how he practically lived in one of the factories so that those working on the line could see him working alongside them.
Musk believes that being in the office is key to ensuring Tesla’s success. He explained that other companies might allow for remote work and do just fine, but when was the last time many of them shipped a new product? “It’s been a while”
He continued to say that making a meaningful and exciting product is hardly done over the phone, and so folks should return to the office to make it happen.
After these letters were leaked, Musk was called out by Twitter user @WholeMarsBlog, asking to comment on this move to the people who think work from the office is an “antiquated concept.”
The only more or less official response about this that we have was from Musk himself in response to a callout by a Twitter user
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But folks had mixed feeling about it, with the conversation turning into a debate with a majority arguing for remote work
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To this, Musk responded with “They should pretend to work somewhere else.” In other words, he made a decision and he’s sticking by it, and if someone has a problem with it, they can appeal, explaining their situation and reasoning for Musk to review, or they can take the high road and resign.
It is important to note that Musk himself did not deny or confirm the legitimacy of these e-mails, but there is reason to believe they are real because of his stance on remote work in general.
In the past, he has spoken out against remote work, in one interview with the Financial Times saying that folks in America are trying to avoid going to work at all, but admiring how Chinese manufacturing workers are working on location and doing a darn good job at it.
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And folks on Twitter had a lot to say about it. The vast majority were in favor of remote work, so they naturally called Musk out on his demand. Besides asking for empirical, number-based proof on how work from the office is better and more productive, there were those who argued that people’s motivation to deliver peak results often stems from their location being offsite rather than on.
Others took a jab at Musk by asking him how he would know if he’s “never run a company.” But all jests aside, folks spoke from their experience in remote work, and claimed that they’ve never felt more productive their entire lives.
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But there was also the other side of the coin—one praising Elon for his decision. Tweeters from this side agreed that engineers need to see leaders working with them, serving as an inspiration and help in understanding how it all works by physically participating in the work.
Others agreed that it’s difficult for engineers to bounce ideas off of each other over the phone. And, if anything, execs quite likely get huge financial rewards for their work, so working from the office should be the least of their concerns.
But there were also those who understood the decision, and even supported it
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You can check all of this out in context here. But don’t go just yet, as you can still read this other article we covered about him here, where he called Putin to a duel, and of course we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below!
I hope all his staff leaves and he can go ahead and make the products himself.
How to say you are heavily invested in commercial real estate without saying you are heavily invested in commercial real estate.
I think he'll find out the hard way that a lot of people will "pretend to work" elsewhere. These are high level execs. They can easily move laterally to just about any other company. Or move into consulting and keep WFH.
They won't "pretend", they WILL work elsewhere.
Load More Replies...Sadly this isn't a new thing - he's never put the welfare of his workforce first ... Look how anti covid he was for example - or the workers in his cobalt mines... https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/may/12/elon-musk-tesla-reopening-lockdown-timeline
I worked a year and a half remotely before my job forced me to be hybred. Absolutely loved it but I barely used my car (like the one user said). I could see why a car manufacturer would be worried by remote work. I still think its s**t of him to send this and I hope he fails hard
Employees are about to start leaving Tesla in droves to work for a better company. And his stock is plummeting. Things do not look good for that guy. Not complaining though. I hope his deal with Twitter falls through. He said he would unban Cheeto Mussolini. If that happens, I'm deactivating my account.
The fact of the matter is that Elon Musk isn't very smart (and that may be an understatement). I know a number of people who have worked for him and every single one has told me that Tesla has become a success DESPITE him, rather than because of him. Whenever he started micromanaging or even involving himself in the actual running of the business, disaster was just waiting in the wings.
I get that impression too. He comes across as being very immature and selfish.
Load More Replies...Working in the office: open plan space with a ridiculous noise level because "communication" and "for spreading out ideas in teams", less space per employee than mandated for dogs in an kennel, obscure perfume smells next door (oh wait, there isn't a door), constant movement everywhere, coworkers who comment on every keystroke they do, and the "just a quick question" kind of coworkers all the time. Who want to work there?
plus you dont even have your own dedicated desk you sit where you find an empty one in the morning because we are modern. so you have to plug in and out all pc component everyday, cannot have personal photographs or a plant there because the cleaning lady would probably throw it away in the evening
Load More Replies...The factory workers, the production workers MUST come to work because they can hardly take their factory equipment and parts home with them. Musk is demanding their managers also come to work. And the other white-collar workers who work with the managers.
And this is the best way to reduce the productivity of the factory workers. The more micromanager twats hovering in the shop floor, the less the workers will be able to produce.
Load More Replies...I'm someone who was infuriated not being able to stay working from home, but i understand if it's an issue of performance being affected. I also respect that he was very clear about it. It wasn't like he's trying to make it about him 'missing seeing everyone' or some other bs. Nothing infuriates me more than when it's for the 'family' reason. 'We're all family here and we miss seeing everyone!' 'We really want the comradery back!' It's such BS. My job and my coworkers are not my family. It's almost insulting that you even compare yourselves to that. I don't need your comradery excuse when you are often sitting in your offices, sealed off with closed doors, while the rest of us are in bullpens, risking our health to be right next to the person who's coughing and possibly sick. I hate the entire family/friends=work argument, honestly. It's such BS.
Oh but Elon Musk is SUCH a geeeniussss!!! So he can make as many stupid decisions as he wants with that level of absolutely minimal consideration for the consequences.
Tesla cars are awful. Lithium and Cobalt battery mines pollute so freaking much and these mines also exploit marginalized people. People should boycott cars like Tesla that only care about profit.... honestly. There are better companies out there, and the future is hydrogen cars, or we need to make another renewable. Not batteries/electric. So far hydrogen produced from renewables is way way greener than any electric cars in terms of emissions. The only reason people like Musk keep pushing for electric is the same reason car companies like Ford kept pushing for combustion/oil cars. Money. So they do that instead of trying to create something truly renewable/green. Same sheit as back then except nowadays marketing is ridiculous, and everyone believes they are 'helping' the environment by buying an overpriced swanky electric car, so we are truly screwed. Even if its better than fuel, it's still just a stopgap and we need something that drops emissions way more than batteries do.
Nearly none of the hydrogen currently used to refuel cars is clean. https://www.wsj.com/articles/hydrogens-dirty-little-secret-11602155800
Load More Replies...Got an email from a SpaceX recruiter just last week. Not currently looking, but if I were, in light of this news, that email would instantly go to the reject pile. "A minimum of 40 hours a week in the office?" In my current job, once I reach 40 hours, with a few exceptions, I'm done for the week. I've done the death march in the past. Never again.
a minimum of 40 hours per week...how many hours are they required to work? 40 hours is a maximum what I would work unless paid. that is a full time job
Elon sir in all due respect go f**k yourself . No one I know even liked you or your f****d up version of a car. Grow a pair and man the f**k up and be kinder to your employees or you will find yourself running your own goddamn business by yourself and we all know where that will lead...cause you are a twat. *rant over*
It's Musk's company and he can run it however he wants to. Personally, I hate working from home because I'm too distracted by other things. But that's me. If I owned a company, I'd hire the best candidates for the positions that need to be filled. If the best work my employees do is from home, so be it. However, I think working from home and using social media to socialize is removing one of the most valuable assets of humanity and that's the ability to effectively communicate with others. That's another topic though.
IMO, Musk seemed like a "Visionary," however he's been reduced to a punchline, like Kanye, Ted Cruz or anyone who is adept at being very goofy!
Dear Elly Musky: Yours is not the only company in the Silicon Valley. Signed: Your Former Office Workers
so much for caring for the environment, electricity is not clean to produce.
His problem, he is paying for the offices, the bills... but I think some jobs could easily being from home-office mostly. I particularly hated home-office but some people aren't required to "be there" for their work. But he isn't the first doing that, neither will be the last...
Sorry I understand I am probably older than most on here (47) but frankly if you signed up to a contract that said you work at a workplace, then get back to work and STFU. If your contract says otherwise then fight it out, if it does not and you dont like it, get another job. simple.
I hope all his staff leaves and he can go ahead and make the products himself.
How to say you are heavily invested in commercial real estate without saying you are heavily invested in commercial real estate.
I think he'll find out the hard way that a lot of people will "pretend to work" elsewhere. These are high level execs. They can easily move laterally to just about any other company. Or move into consulting and keep WFH.
They won't "pretend", they WILL work elsewhere.
Load More Replies...Sadly this isn't a new thing - he's never put the welfare of his workforce first ... Look how anti covid he was for example - or the workers in his cobalt mines... https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/may/12/elon-musk-tesla-reopening-lockdown-timeline
I worked a year and a half remotely before my job forced me to be hybred. Absolutely loved it but I barely used my car (like the one user said). I could see why a car manufacturer would be worried by remote work. I still think its s**t of him to send this and I hope he fails hard
Employees are about to start leaving Tesla in droves to work for a better company. And his stock is plummeting. Things do not look good for that guy. Not complaining though. I hope his deal with Twitter falls through. He said he would unban Cheeto Mussolini. If that happens, I'm deactivating my account.
The fact of the matter is that Elon Musk isn't very smart (and that may be an understatement). I know a number of people who have worked for him and every single one has told me that Tesla has become a success DESPITE him, rather than because of him. Whenever he started micromanaging or even involving himself in the actual running of the business, disaster was just waiting in the wings.
I get that impression too. He comes across as being very immature and selfish.
Load More Replies...Working in the office: open plan space with a ridiculous noise level because "communication" and "for spreading out ideas in teams", less space per employee than mandated for dogs in an kennel, obscure perfume smells next door (oh wait, there isn't a door), constant movement everywhere, coworkers who comment on every keystroke they do, and the "just a quick question" kind of coworkers all the time. Who want to work there?
plus you dont even have your own dedicated desk you sit where you find an empty one in the morning because we are modern. so you have to plug in and out all pc component everyday, cannot have personal photographs or a plant there because the cleaning lady would probably throw it away in the evening
Load More Replies...The factory workers, the production workers MUST come to work because they can hardly take their factory equipment and parts home with them. Musk is demanding their managers also come to work. And the other white-collar workers who work with the managers.
And this is the best way to reduce the productivity of the factory workers. The more micromanager twats hovering in the shop floor, the less the workers will be able to produce.
Load More Replies...I'm someone who was infuriated not being able to stay working from home, but i understand if it's an issue of performance being affected. I also respect that he was very clear about it. It wasn't like he's trying to make it about him 'missing seeing everyone' or some other bs. Nothing infuriates me more than when it's for the 'family' reason. 'We're all family here and we miss seeing everyone!' 'We really want the comradery back!' It's such BS. My job and my coworkers are not my family. It's almost insulting that you even compare yourselves to that. I don't need your comradery excuse when you are often sitting in your offices, sealed off with closed doors, while the rest of us are in bullpens, risking our health to be right next to the person who's coughing and possibly sick. I hate the entire family/friends=work argument, honestly. It's such BS.
Oh but Elon Musk is SUCH a geeeniussss!!! So he can make as many stupid decisions as he wants with that level of absolutely minimal consideration for the consequences.
Tesla cars are awful. Lithium and Cobalt battery mines pollute so freaking much and these mines also exploit marginalized people. People should boycott cars like Tesla that only care about profit.... honestly. There are better companies out there, and the future is hydrogen cars, or we need to make another renewable. Not batteries/electric. So far hydrogen produced from renewables is way way greener than any electric cars in terms of emissions. The only reason people like Musk keep pushing for electric is the same reason car companies like Ford kept pushing for combustion/oil cars. Money. So they do that instead of trying to create something truly renewable/green. Same sheit as back then except nowadays marketing is ridiculous, and everyone believes they are 'helping' the environment by buying an overpriced swanky electric car, so we are truly screwed. Even if its better than fuel, it's still just a stopgap and we need something that drops emissions way more than batteries do.
Nearly none of the hydrogen currently used to refuel cars is clean. https://www.wsj.com/articles/hydrogens-dirty-little-secret-11602155800
Load More Replies...Got an email from a SpaceX recruiter just last week. Not currently looking, but if I were, in light of this news, that email would instantly go to the reject pile. "A minimum of 40 hours a week in the office?" In my current job, once I reach 40 hours, with a few exceptions, I'm done for the week. I've done the death march in the past. Never again.
a minimum of 40 hours per week...how many hours are they required to work? 40 hours is a maximum what I would work unless paid. that is a full time job
Elon sir in all due respect go f**k yourself . No one I know even liked you or your f****d up version of a car. Grow a pair and man the f**k up and be kinder to your employees or you will find yourself running your own goddamn business by yourself and we all know where that will lead...cause you are a twat. *rant over*
It's Musk's company and he can run it however he wants to. Personally, I hate working from home because I'm too distracted by other things. But that's me. If I owned a company, I'd hire the best candidates for the positions that need to be filled. If the best work my employees do is from home, so be it. However, I think working from home and using social media to socialize is removing one of the most valuable assets of humanity and that's the ability to effectively communicate with others. That's another topic though.
IMO, Musk seemed like a "Visionary," however he's been reduced to a punchline, like Kanye, Ted Cruz or anyone who is adept at being very goofy!
Dear Elly Musky: Yours is not the only company in the Silicon Valley. Signed: Your Former Office Workers
so much for caring for the environment, electricity is not clean to produce.
His problem, he is paying for the offices, the bills... but I think some jobs could easily being from home-office mostly. I particularly hated home-office but some people aren't required to "be there" for their work. But he isn't the first doing that, neither will be the last...
Sorry I understand I am probably older than most on here (47) but frankly if you signed up to a contract that said you work at a workplace, then get back to work and STFU. If your contract says otherwise then fight it out, if it does not and you dont like it, get another job. simple.
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