Hybrid, Shmybrid. How The Recent Push For A Half-Home, Half-Office Work Model Is More Restraining Than You Think

Lately, there’s been so much hype about remote work, and its spin-off, hybrid work, one could infer that the preference for it is unanimous amongst all office workers.  Though, the people who I usually hear speak in favor of it have, clearly, unconscious privilege.  In other words, hybrid work appeals to those with exciting home lives or who can get their communal needs met via social media.  Further, hybrid work is more of a segregation tactic than a measure to fight the pandemic.

Primarily, a hybrid office schedule ensures that employees stay chained to the headquarter city of the company they work for which, usually, is in the middle of Bumfuck, Nowhere.  It’s also defended on the assumption that carbon emissions will be reduced, given fewer workers will commute.  Though, I see no proof of this given employees will still venture to a more socially satisfying location if their home life isn’t exciting. And given westerners’ love of cars, they likely won’t be walking/biking. 

The solution? Companies should offer either fully remote or fully in the office work.  I.e., NO HYBRIDING.  This is based on the notion that if a person’s social needs are being met via the office, then they won’t need to seek elsewhere.  Similarly, if the number of days a company offers on-site isn’t enough to satisfy an employee’s social needs, working 100% remotely will allow them the freedom to migrate to a place that will.

Unfortunately, the managerial class (i.e., status quo) knows this but intends to push the hybrid work model as the norm.  This is because, clearly, it keeps men of color out of the office and away from their precious women.  It also ensures they won’t try to “skip town” and head to a location brimming with women, given they have to be in the office on X-day & X-day.

All things considered, corporations’ recent push for a hybridized work schedule is simply another buffering tactic to ensure the patriarchy/managerial class/status quo keeps premium access to attractive women and that professionals, especially men, of color don’t.  Thanks for reading and stay pissed.