• by Tanya Gazdik , Yesterday

Ford Motor Co. is mandating salaried workers return to office at least four days a week -- and at least one employee is really unhappy about it. 

The automaker’s IT system was hacked last week with an image on meeting room screens across the corporate offices in Dearborn, Michigan, and possibly other facilities, which protested the policy.

“According to photos employees took of the image, which were posted on social media, it contained an image of CEO Jim Farley along with a big red circle with a slash through it over his face and the words ‘(Expletive) RTO,’” according to the Detroit Free Press.

The event may have been precipitated by another recent Detroit Free Press article where Farley talks about the advantages of working in the office.

“[The mandate] comes as the company prepares to move leadership, designers and engineers into a new world headquarters building starting later this year,” according to the article. “It’s a move Farley has said will improve efficiency and product development.” 

Farley mandated that employees return to the office four days a week earlier this year, but it was officially put in place Sept. 1.

“The anti-RTO message at Ford may have been meant for the management at the organization, but its implications are clear for all businesses to see,” according to the HR Digest. “Employee dissatisfaction can often take a backseat during periods of change, especially when they are driven by revenue goals and business advancement. In most cases, employees have temporarily expressed their frustrations before accepting the terms of work as stated, but trends of revenge RTO, coffee badging, and quiet cracking allow for frustrations to simmer under the surface.”

A Ford employee told Autopian "upset level vary” regarding the mandate.“Some people bought homes farther away. Some people had a child, some people got a dog. We were promised that remote work is here to stay and people built their lives around that. An about face has real negative consequences for real people.”

Of course, Ford isn’t the only company to require an increase in face time in the office. 

“[Ford] joined other companies from Chrysler Stellantis NV to Huntington Bank in increasing in-office days this year,” according to The Detroit News.  “Ford employees ahead of the increased return-to-office requirements have said finding parking and a spot to work can be a challenge in certain areas of Ford's Dearborn campus like in the city's downtown district, though the automaker has launched a shuttle to help with that. Most Ford employees in Dearborn don't have assigned desks, with the automaker implementing a hotel-style workplace model. Others have expressed disgruntlement over long commutes, more distractions compared to working from home and feelings of micromanagement.”

Starting Jan. 8, 2024, General Motors began requiring three days a week in-office for employees within 50 miles. It was the company’s third attempt at the policy, notes Remote Rebellion, a website devoted to remote working.