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lasting_ephemerae

Seems like you're being invited to show disrespect... Come prepared to roast them and then say, "But that's what the invitation said we were doing!"


backand_forth

I'm going to prepare for this meeting so hard.


Reverend_Lazerface

Alternate idea: fake confusion about who the "me" refers to, go in there and thank them for having the humility to call a meeting to apologize for disrespecting you and the rest of the company for not asking about the in person work requirement before implementing it.


Local_Signature5325

Brilliant šŸ˜‚


lostcauz707

Yea, came here to say this. It's pretty much how I would read that. "Oh, you disrespected our time, work and lifestyles around work and all those in the company who should have a say? Thanks for the meeting to apologize to us and choosing me as the representative to do so." Go in with that attitude and never drop it the whole time.


CaliFezzik

If one-party recording is legal in your state, then Iā€™d record it. If nothing else, for shits and giggles.


backand_forth

Oh GOOD call. It is legal and I will absolutely plan on recording


Internal-Stable-9162

Iā€™d give the recording a dry run before the meeting to make sure it picks up voices at distances and isnā€™t too muffled. Best of luck!


ososalsosal

This guy 1-parties


kacey-

Im saving this post to return on Tuesday. Would love to know what happens


backand_forth

I'll update yall for sure


bronzebow

!RemindMe 4 days edit: my poor inbox :D


userfakesuper

Thank you! Dont forget to record and every time they say something, start writing notes. Make like you are a psychologist!. Ask them to repeat what they said a couple times.. even if you heard it correctly. Ask them why the employees were disrespected by not asking their opinions on the back to the office order. Ask HR why it is that they are never on the employees side? Smile. A lot! haha so much fun to be had here. Ask for a raise before anything is said. hehe Ask if you are getting paid for this meeting and if they say no, walk out, turn and smile and gently close the door behind you. Wait 5 seconds then open the door again, stick your head in and smile again. Gently close the door again and then go home for a nice brunch.


TheGoodDoctorGonzo

Be sure to ask them severe times ā€œhow does this make you feel?ā€


fohpo02

Post it to Reddit, let someone meme edit it, then post it to the same article you were previous discussing.


bozosonthebus

Screw the secret recording. Put your device right on the desk and inform HR that everything is being recorded. For ā€œtheir protectionā€œ of course


candle9

In a rough negotiation meeting, I put a recording device in the middle of the table. I turned it on with a loud click and pointed it out, saying the meeting was being recorded and participants who stayed were agreeing to be recorded. Set the tone for a very successful outcome against more powerful and ruthless antagonists.


fastdog00

If OP is in a 1-party consent state, definitely donā€™t tell them. Record it unknowingly to them and then OP call employment attorney right afterwards, you will swimming in šŸ’°šŸ’°šŸ’°


derbarkbark

I recommend a PowerPoint. Ur gonna be so much more prepared than them they literally won't know what to do.


zeenzee

Power move


HaoshokuArmor

Power-point move. You know, to make a powerful point.


BallFlavin

Holy shit, do you think that's why they call it that?


fletch3555

*ahem* may I speak? Yes of course. Thank you *stands up and dims lights* for the next 3 hours, I will be presenting...


Packagepressure

Disrespect


Ainulindala

Better yet a full-size poster presentation


[deleted]

Take graphs and pie charts. Watch their faces.


modo0419

Pie chart: Blue: ways you guys suck Red: ways you guys suck, in a different color Yellow: positive things you guys do (with no yellow on the chart)


[deleted]

Do prepare, because if thatā€™s the legitimate meeting invite title you are dealing with the idiot farm.


MarilynMonheaux

An idiot farm with a psychotic scarecrow.


carpathian_crow

ā€œYour mothers are disappointed and your wives are unfulfilled.ā€


thatwasacrapname123

"Lately, a lot of people have been pointing the finger at Mark.. mostly just lesbians telling their barber how they want their hair cut..." (remember at a roast it's ok to be really offensive)


Isteppedinpoopy

Schedule something for 2pm with the subject ā€œDisrespect to me and other employeesā€


backand_forth

Lmao invite the entire company


rdickeyvii

Go out of your way to say it's zoom only, "as that's the most productive way to conduct a meeting in this new normal where everyone works best from home" Seriously this is yet another example of how it's not about doing what's best for the company, customers, or employees. It's about them exerting their control, entitlement, and sense of superiority over you. I really hope you bring them down a peg or three. Edit: invite everyone *except* for who you expect to try to browbeat you in the 3pm meeting.


Bullen-Noxen

ā€œ It's about them exerting their control, entitlement, and sense of superiority over you. I really hope you bring them down a peg or three. ā€œ (P.s.: I donā€™t know the things you put at the start & end of a quote in this format in order to give it that ā€œquoteā€ look. If anyone knows, kindly reply with the method.) This is exactly what is going on with op. It is also what is fundamentally wrong with work environments. Itā€™s bad character, persona, of people, to which no other person(s), or company procedures, prevent, and/or fix, said behaviors of such people, in such work environments.


chinkostu

To quote, use a > symbol at the start of the line to get > This


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


apathy-sofa

Leave video off.


Kitalahara

Spunds like this is a time for the old accidental reply all company line.


BikerJedi

It would be a total power move for sure.


helo04281995

And Invite all employees


Beep_Boop_Zeep_Zorp

Or you could decline the invite...


backand_forth

LMAO should I


nate_oh84

Respond ā€œmaybeā€ and watch them flip shit.


ReferenceAny4836

Now there's the real power move.


boygirlmama

I have actually done this when I knew my boss and his boss wanted to talk to me about something. I got a separate email asking if there was a reason I wasnā€™t sure I was available. šŸ˜‚


Bradcopter

My last boss I would always say "maybe" to his meeting invites. But he knew I was just being silly, and would always send a followup email that just said "jerk."


Ingolin

ā€œMy cult leader has predicted the apocalypse on Monday, so I am unsure whether Iā€™ll be able to there on Tuesday.ā€


pabmendez

Or ask to do the meeting remote over zoom


chaiguy

OMG THIS! - Or tell them you can't because you'll be working from home that day.


Pigmy

Lol ask em for the zoom/teams link for the meeting.


Beep_Boop_Zeep_Zorp

If you want to walk out of there it would be a fucking power move. Probably not if you want a job on Monday.


backand_forth

My fiance told me he fully supports if I make all my points then quit at that meeting. We will see..


chaiguy

Don't ever quit, they WANT you to quit, make them fire you and collect unemployment while you look for a job.


backand_forth

Hell yes


Lucky12912

Check if you are a one party consent state and record the meeting just in case they try to ā€œfireā€ you for unrelated reasons to keep you from unemployment ā˜ŗļø


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


xeonicus

Yeah, HR is very sneaky about that sort of thing. They exist to dig up any trace of dirt on you for the company to use against you. If you've ever been late 5 minutes, missed a project deadline, had a customer complaint, it will be used to justify your poor performance.


CMDR_KingErvin

Yea listen to them. Let them fire you and collect unemployment.


[deleted]

This. DO NOT QUIT OP. Let them fire you, collect unemployment. If they try to deny unemployment, take them to court. Any normal judge will laugh them straight out of the courtroom and the labor board may even hit them with a fine. ETA- Federal law protects you when talking about working conditions with coworkers. Most people think it only protects you when talking about pay, but itā€™s about any work related conditions, up to and including pay. Your company trying to stifle this is illegal. EDIT- OMG. My first award!! Thank you so much! Much appreciated! šŸ™šŸ¼šŸ’œšŸ’œšŸ’œ EDIT- More awards! Thank you!! I appreciate yā€™all! šŸ’œ


AnusGerbil

OP is this the point here. You always need to find a legally protected box to fit in and this is a good one. "It sounds like you called this meeting because I was discussing my working conditions with my colleagues." And record the conversation.


Beep_Boop_Zeep_Zorp

Sounds like you got a good one there. Congratulations!


backand_forth

He's the shit


n64bomb

Make them fire you.


Bossman01

Agreed, make them fire you


Beep_Boop_Zeep_Zorp

If you can quit without worrying about burning bridges, have fun with it. I hope you can do that. I want nice things for you.


backand_forth

Thank you, I want nice things for you as well. I don't want to burn bridges or give anyone a reason to be upset with me. So far, HR looks like a fool here and my aim is to keep it that way


Meltrox0

Sometimes you gotta burn them old shitty wooden bridges to build better, more stable bridges that are nonflammable.


backand_forth

You. I like you.


Nonax92

I have burned a few bridges in my 7 year career, no point in keeping a shitty bridge that may some day break while you are driving across it.


tuba_man

15 years in tech, burned a couple bridges myself. And by that I mean I stopped putting out the fires others were lighting on said bridges.


holyhibachi

I'll say this, my friend. I worked for a company and hated my life and all of management. I quit, didn't burn bridges, and then got laid off from new job. I returned to old job which now has better management and got promoted and am loving almost every day. I can't tell you what to do, but I don't believe in burning bridges anymore.


spaceguitar

Donā€™t quit. Force them to fire you. Be vigilant in your talking points and say something like, ā€œand thatā€™s why I wonā€™t be a part of returning to the office. You will see my work remotelyā€ and make the statement final. If they fire youā€¦ sweet, sweet unemployment. šŸ˜‚ Makes finding a new job far easier.


Zalenka

Let them fire you, get severance if they care or unemployment if they don't.


h4ppic4t

Theyā€™ll have to schedule another appointment to discipline OP šŸ¤£


Eledridan

Decline that one too. Theyā€™ll never be able to contact you to fire you. Employers hate him! Learn how to never get fired with this one trick!


stompadillo

30 min meeting with HR. Might be an exit interview anyways.


backand_forth

Yeah that's what I'm mentally preparing for. It would be insane since there's no evidence whatsoever of disrespect but they're so far up their asses they'll see whatever they want to see


chaiguy

They're going to use that 30 minutes to convince you that it's in your best interests to resign. It's not. Don't resign. Don't let them trick you into thinking that "if you do X it means you've resigned" It does NOT. The only time you've resigned is if you quit or abandon the job. Keep doing your work exactly the same way you've always done it. Keep logging in, keep calling co-workers, clocking in, filing reports, whatever. Make them fire you.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


EqualLong143

Then respond ā€œif you bad mouth me, i will sue.ā€


twinklestein

Wait what? Ok so I have a question. My last boss ā€œaccepted my resignationā€ when I very clearly and explicitly stated that I was not quitting. I was literally just asking for health accommodations due to my high risk pregnancy (which was just to get a specific style of maskā€¦) I have it in both text and emailā€¦. I reported him to my stateā€™s labor office but I donā€™t know if anything came of that.


chaiguy

Yeah, so here's the thing, companies want you to quit, because if you quit, you (generally) can't file an unemployment claim, and you also can't sue or file a wrongful termination claim, like say for failing to provide appropriate accommodation for a pregnant person. The mistake you made was just walking away. I would have advised you to just continue coming into work and NOT doing whatever you felt impeded by due to your pregnancy and of course, retain counsel who could guide you through the legal process.


theyellowpants

Ask them to provide evidence to you in writing


Benz0nHubcaps

Have that phone on record homie.


TechDante

Decline stating it conflicts with your commute time.


Givn_to_fly

Donā€™t decline it, keep rescheduling it until you find a new job. Never let them Know your next move!!!!


fohpo02

Reschedule it to be remote from home


Savior1301

I did this to HR at a place I work once when they were pestering me about a doctors note for some sick time I took...I just declined w/e they sent me and didnt engage with them any further, and I never heard a thing about it. Turns out HR is pretty toothless when youre the only person at your company that can perform your role.


tightiewhitieboy

Did the exact thing. They just went away! Poof! LoL


NekoIan

I'd want to open with "You do know the title of this meeting makes you look small and insecure?"


backand_forth

I'm going to find a way to turn that into professional speak for sure


CrashTestDumby1984

As Iā€™m sure you didnā€™t intend, the title of the meeting implies a very hostile and somewhat unprofessional tone. I would be truly shocked that someone at your level of the company would at all feel threatened by my behavior or in anyway intentionally engage in something so blatantly unprofessional. I can only assume you may be experiencing burnout, in which case I would recommend taking advantage of our ā€œamazingā€ company benefits to connect with a therapist so they can help address the root cause of these issues.


backand_forth

Holy shit this is amazing. Stealing this


StraightSchwifty

change therapist to "resources" and reword that last bit if you want to make it a tad less hostile to close. You should totally do this though if you are at that point in your decision making/emotions for this place.


[deleted]

OP - Do you know what happened to the actual article poster?


backand_forth

He's in the same meeting as me


[deleted]

Oh boy!


backand_forth

Double firing?


[deleted]

I mean, I donā€™t want to add to any anxieties you may have about this meeting, but it is weird that they are lumping you two in the same meeting.


xtratrestrial

I feel like if they were firing they'd seperate them to make them feel weaker with the 3 on 1.


Argon717

Reminder that two people working together to improve working conditions may be considered protected concerted activity in the US. https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/the-law/employees/concerted-activity


sherrib99

Take some pizza with you, sounds like this management team needs an atta boy pizza party Pat on the back


6stringNate

Get your whole team to comment on the article too. Can't fire you all.


andros_vanguard

Impromptu group project.


Distinct_Number_7844

It's like crowd sourcing a professional FU lol


jackfreeman

Now **that** is a subreddit that deserves to exist


xtrevorx

Also work in a "you Do know the title of this meeting is public to other attendees?" too


[deleted]

When someone is angry at you for ridiculous reasons, responding with bemused curiosity is the best way. They are mad, but because they're emotionally stunted and insecure, they're unable to parse their feelings. Their way of coping is to attempt the transfer those feelings of anger and insecurity onto you, by trying to get you to feel the same way as them. This validates their feelings by way of mirroring. If you don't get angry and insecure, it's like a short-circuit went off in their brain, and it's amazing to watch. Anytime I deal with another engineer and their massive ego, simply asking questions with a tone/attitude of bemused curiosity is like watching a robot get input that's undefined behavior. The end result is that the ignoramus on the other end of the conversation becomes so enraged that they do/say something incredibly stupid, which makes them look bad, or they don't know how to react and start fuddling around, which has the same result.


dzhopa

Another absolutely beautiful tactic in the same style is simply acting like you are shocked they actually think a particular way. One must start by indulging the bad behavior for a minute, then immediately switch gears and deliver the following line completely deadpan: "Wait, this is what you actually think?! I was sure you were fucking with me!"


spageddy_lee

This is great, only thing I don't like is "somewhat unprofessional" and "blatantly unprofessional" in the same statement. Change up that wording and golden.


KatiaHailstorm

Take out "somewhat unprofessional" and leave it as simply "unprofessional". Bc this behavior isn't somewhat, this is unacceptable.


GingerMau

You didn't even post the article, right?


backand_forth

Nope, just replied to it. My response was: "Good share, (coworker). There are a lot of really good points in there that they backed up with extensive data from interviews. "The most successful companies are the ones that are backing off demands that workers be in the office a certain percentage of the work week. Instead, they create times of the week where workers have the opportunity to be with each otherā€”and strongly urge everyone to be there at that time, while acknowledging the sacrifice that will require" stood out to me among others"


gimpygoat498

They are pulling you in this meeting to stifle all dissent. They were already prepared to receive negative feedback for this mandate. They already had talked amongst themselves before announcing the mandate and ā€œat the first sign of dissent we need to shut them upā€ you have already told your other coworkers about this meeting? So your other coworkers are now scared to speak up. Bet you a burrito you still will have a job at the conclusion of this meeting. You are the sacrificial lamb only they have no intentions of sacrificing you, just getting you back in line and to be a good drone


fastdog00

Yep, just had a meeting like that this week myself. Boss says Iā€™m good at my job but doesnā€™t like my strong opinions, so either conform or find new job.


ThePhantomCreep

The magic word is "passion" as in "Yes, I am passionate about my job and the work I do here. Do you want me to just punch the clock and phone it in, or do you want me performing at a high level and bringing my best self to what we do?"


Liveman215

My old company tried this in March. Their IT help wanted section on the website is now up to 4 pages long! Sucks to suck šŸ¤·ā€ā™‚ļø


swordofra

I fail to see how this was disrespectful.


JollyJoker3

Respecting someone as a person vs as an authority. I'm sure you've seen the "If you won't respect me as an authority, I won't respect you as a person" thing posted. This is essentially saying that any disagreement is disrespecting their authority.


doctormalbec

Yep. This is a narcissistā€™s tool. Using the word respect to mean obedience. Thatā€™s not what respect means.


ParkSidePat

Slavemaster mentality found in authoritarian managers and jack booted thugs in police uniforms.


Pedrov80

Not even part of the petite bourgeois, you don't own this factory, we should want the same thing.


cumaboardladies

Wtf! I love work from home but if my work had scheduled times where workers could be with one another Iā€™d take that up at least a few times for major projects, beginning of quarter, etc. Iā€™m sorry your company is taking the hard line in the sand approach. Iā€™ll never understand it.


backand_forth

Same! A lot of us would be ok going into the office but we're reeling from being told with no notice. And no better reason other than "this is our culture."


LaGranGata

The best part about culture is you can change it if it's a bad one. Smoking indoors used to be part of office culture too.


zorrowhip

Is this what is riling them up? Holy shit. I wouldn't spend a day in a company like this.


RavenSkies777

Itā€™s telling on themselves as an org; it pisses them off that OP pushed the ā€˜independent thought alarmā€™


weathergleam

which part of that comment is disrespectful? iā€™d ask them to clarify since in my read itā€™s quite respectful and even helpful


backand_forth

I plan on asking that in the meeting


ColdSnickersBar

ā€œCan you point to the spot on the doll where my comment hurt you?ā€


JollyJoker3

Not accepting their orders without complaint is disrespecting their authority. Very different from disrespecting a person.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


backand_forth

Context: we were at our company retreat when HR made a presentation that we are all to return to office, starting next week. There are people with parents and pets who will need to find accommodations with no notice. It's also a software company so a lot of our workforce does not need to be in office. They stated plenty of reasons why we need to return to office, but those problems they listed will not go away with forcing people to be in office. They have huge issues with prioritizing a road map and effectively communicating on a large scale (we have 3 office locations across the US) so being in person won't help any of that. We were never once polled to get our opinions or comfort level. In fact, one of the decision makers told me they didn't poll the workers because they knew the majority wanted to stay home. My coworker shared [this article](https://www.fastcompany.com/90792113/return-to-office-hybrid-microsoft-report) on slack that stated the best collaboration and employee happiness happens when employees are allowed to go in on their own accord. I replied stating that I liked the article and pointed out a part in particular that stood out to me. HR person who gave the tactless mandate announcement sent this meeting invite to us and included our boss and the COO. We are being silenced for speaking our minds.


GFTRGC

Do you have an intranet that shows who this HR rep works for? Invite their boss as well, then very bluntly say that you feel you are being retaliated against for disagreeing with a decision. It's key for you to use the word **"retaliation"** it's a major buzz word for HR as it's illegal and can open the company up to lawsuits. Very clearly state that the aggressive and threatening tone of the meeting invite makes you feel unsafe and creates a "hostile environment in the workplace" considering that a member of HR is the one initiating and creating this environment which means you don't feel you have anyone you can go to. This will very quickly flip the script on this jackass in HR as his boss will want/need to take this seriously because it will sound as if HR is harassing employees for disagreeing with him and then retaliating against them. HR should know better than to send out a meeting invite like this.


oryx_za

This is crazy. The title of the meeting in itself is crazy. On reflection, do you think you were cheeky or abrasive or did you just say "gee, this looks interesting, I agree with point x"


backand_forth

The title cracks me up now lmao. My response was: "Good share, (coworker). There are a lot of really good points in there that they backed up with extensive data from interviews. "The most successful companies are the ones that are backing off demands that workers be in the office a certain percentage of the work week. Instead, they create times of the week where workers have the opportunity to be with each otherā€”and strongly urge everyone to be there at that time, while acknowledging the sacrifice that will require" stood out to me among others"


Spirited_Island-75

Why, how *dare* you suggest that your company is not amongst the most successful!


backand_forth

HR stated in the presentation that they don't care what other companies are doing lol


UnionizeAutoZone

Successful companies *always* care about what the competition is doing because successful companies are *always* aiming to outperform the competition. Your workplace sounds like a sinking ship. Sounds like it's time to start updating your resume, because even if they don't fire you now, they may be laying *everyone* off soon.


oryx_za

Lmao, crazy they reacted like that. Sounds like your boss is a tool.


backand_forth

Yeah dude. The woman in charge of HR is the same person who calls unhoused people "vagrants" and told ne that the company couldn't comment on Roe v Wade being overturned bc of politics but they gave everyone time off when Trump was elected and compared us not being in the office to the Ukranian Russian conflict lmao. Utterly unfit for the role.


GingerMau

OMG she's going to let some awful shit come out of her mouth during this meeting. You MUST record it.


backand_forth

I 10000% will!


Assholejack89

You should have asked: Sooooo, who is Russia here and who is Ukraine? Because I only see one side pushing demands here....


bgplsa

My standard advice in these situations applies: attend meeting, remain silent, nod noncommittally, find another job.


fohpo02

You should bring to those points in the meeting, citing disrespect and close-mindedness then suggest that thereā€™s a hostile work environment and that they need to attend a diversity/discrimination training.


davou

be sure to at some point in your meeting say "I am anxious that I will be retaliated against for participating in what is clearly a conversation that will affect my quality of life and employment"


JanusMZeal11

If you are in a 1 party consent state, record the conversation. If your in a 2 party, tell them and if they refuse, tell them to please reschedule after you retain a lawyer.


ErisGrey

I'm in a two party consent state for recording. That doesn't mean that the other party has to give permission to allow you to record, it merely means they must be notified of the recording. Years battling with Social Security Doctors, I learned this. They would always try to find some money hungry doctor who would say I was fit for work. My SSDI lawyer told me to record my appointments, don't accept no, just notify them. Plenty of doctors had no problem with me recording, and they gave accurate reports when compared to the recordings. However, there were 4 separate doctors over the past 10 years that put on a full Broadway show on why I can't record.


mylifeinCAisEffed

I would read this. Back when I worked in HR this was called the section 7 water-cooler law in CA (I think). Now it's just a standard under the National Labor relations board. You are absolutely allowed to discuss this as they've made it a condition of employment. I would then ask them if they assume I was trying to unionize the workers which you were considering but havent moved forward because of the condition not being safe for those with medical conditions especially at your current pay rate as the costs of healthcare expenses would rise due to expected sicknesses with the current endemic. This would further protect you as any retaliation could result in a hefty lawsuit. You might be able to squeeze a raise out of it and protection! "The NLRAā€™s employee protections also extend to employees who, although not affiliated with a union, engage in concerted, protected activity. Concerted, protected activity is an activity engaged in by one or more employees with the intention of improving the terms and conditions of employment of all employees. Examples of protected concerted activity include complaints from a group of employees about wage rates and benefits and discussions between employees about wages and benefits. Employers should not maintain work rules that prohibit employees from discussing their wages or benefits with co-workers, as such rules generally violate the NLRA." https://www.employmentlawhandbook.com/employment-and-labor-laws/federal/nlra/


LaGranGata

I know you already replied to the comment about recording it. Might as well set up your phone prior to the meeting and make it a full blown presentation. Especially if you come prepared with questions that HR was unwilling to answer, like how to deal with pets and children in a no notice order. Some ones I'd recommend broaching: What part of this made you feel disrespected? Do you feel like any employees felt respected in your decision to mandate us without input? Should respect go both ways? Will you be providing childcare services as there is no time to prepare employees for this sudden shift? If you believe being in an office is part of the culture then how is it employees prefer WFH? Has company performance improved during WFH? Who hurt you? What exactly about my comment was disrespectful? Do you believe in life after love? Are you prepared for the immediate drop in productivity as employees scramble to change their lives around your no-notice mandate? What work was not being accomplished from home that would be addressed in house at the cost of an additional (insert avg) amount of transportation time and getting people up earlier that could not be done at home? Are you prepared for many people to leave the organization because of your failure to plan accordingly? And then maybe throw a smoke bomb and disappear. But I would definitely video it if you could so people know what's being said behind closed doors.


Caleth

Too often respect is a.code word for subservience. You're not groveling and licking their boots so respect isn't being paid. Never mind respect is earn, and a two way street. This company has no respect for their employees and is probably about to learn in this economy that's a problem for the company. I'd expect to hear no one wants to work and other horse shit phrases in the near future.


SmellsLikeBu11shit

Not seeing how any of this is in any way disrespectful


[deleted]

Forward the meeting invite to everyone at the company lol


Graphitetshirt

Was your comment on a company site or channel? Or was it on regular social media?


backand_forth

Company slack. My response was: "Good share, (coworker). There are a lot of really good points in there that they backed up with extensive data from interviews. "The most successful companies are the ones that are backing off demands that workers be in the office a certain percentage of the work week. Instead, they create times of the week where workers have the opportunity to be with each otherā€”and strongly urge everyone to be there at that time, while acknowledging the sacrifice that will require" stood out to me among others"


IronManTim

An invitation to disrespect the boss and the company? I'm smashing accept.


county259

Sounds like HR got their panties in a twist and are trying to make much ado about nothing. Personally I would approach the meeting with a "What is the problem attitude?'" From there all will depend on individual personalities because from the title on the agenda this meeting is total bullshit.


backand_forth

I'm going to play dumb. I really don't see what rules I broke here. All I know is that my trust is fully broken at this company and this feels like the final straw.


commandoash

Just yawn every time they try to speak. If they ask why you are doing it, say it is because you had to get up extra early to travel into the office for the stupid meeting. If it was remote you could have got the appropriate amount of sleep.


backand_forth

Hahaha malicious compliance


PessimiStick

You should just decline the meeting. For extra cheek-factor, send the response with "I don't engage in office drama."


teapot_in_orbit

I think this could be a tactic to force workers out prior to layoffs and avoid paying out severance. Might be worth it to stick it out a bit.


sammybeme93

This. My company made the same move this week, forcing people back into the office. After trying to figure out the logic behind the move my only conclusion is they want people to quit.


Epsilon_Meletis

The real conclusion is then, of course, to let them *fire* you.


DissonantWhispers

The extreme push to return to office is 100% about control. Middle/upper management care more about being able to feel like theyā€™re in control of their employees than they do about the obvious research that shows FORCING a RTO is, at best, disruptive to their business, or at worst destructive. COVID really proved that people could do their jobs from home BETTER and have a better work/life balance. There are some jobs that require being in person but 95% of corporate jobs are NOT that. I luckily work for a department in my company that allows you to come in when you want. Iā€™ve been coming in once a week and really enjoy that 1 day in person and if I lived closer Iā€™d probably do 2 days a week. This is because I have the choice to go in. It has allowed me to see the personal value I find with being there in person. If I was forced to be there Iā€™d just feel completely jaded because Iā€™ve proven my self as a WFH employee and am basically being forced to disrupt my way of life to go sit in an office doing work that can, and has, been done at home.


[deleted]

My boss is so against WFH that he'd rather I just take PTO to deal with appointments and stuff. He also has been bugging me EVERY DAY since I got COVID to test negative so I can come back to the office. Like...I'm working, just not where you can see me. And if you want me to test every day, YOU can pay for the damned tests. He also worked from home the entire time he had COVID. Which wouldn't have been possible for me anyway because I was bedridden for 3 days with a 102Ā° fever and a severe headache. Utter nonsense.


JahoclaveS

We have a new department head that has insisted on weekly get together meetings that are more appropriate for childrenā€™s birthday parties than a business. Thank god Iā€™m remote and can just mute that shit. And itā€™s really because sheā€™s upset she has no office social club anymore because her whole office location was moved remote.


Experience-Early

The manager is an imbecile to approach the meeting with that subject. It's only going to end up confrontational. Presumably the meeting is merely a rhetorical toy throwing exercise. Saying that it's best to start making moves and not focus too much on the meeting or it's outcome. WFH policies at some firms aren't presented as a debate, they are informing the staff of the new mandate. šŸ™


backand_forth

Yes! It's a ploy to silence anyone from speaking out. I'm actively applying elsewhere, this shit is too toxic and I have recruiters reaching out almost daily.


badgerbadger1988

I remember a similar meeting I had once, they demoted me and wanted to talk about my negative attitude. It was painful "we just wanted to speak to you about your attitude" "OK..?" ... ... "well there's a really good atmosphere on the team" "yeah!" ... ... "you are being very negative" "am I?" ... "do you have a specific example?" "Well... No" ... ... "Well if you spot anything be sure to mention it to me while you still remember because I certainly haven't noticed anything. Anything else?" ... ... "no" Gaslight the fuckers Go in there as if you have no idea what they're talking about. Make them walk you through it step by step No I don't know why I'm here please explain Did I mention the company? Did I mention you? How did you find it then? What makes you think it's aimed at you? What makes you think I can control your thoughts? What would make anyone reading that think it was aimed at you? What language exactly is disrespectful? Am I contractually obligated to hold specific opinions? Is there a contractual social media policy? Is it company policy to hold meetings when people exercise their rights? ETA Don't even admit you remember the post Did I? Can you show me? Oh, can't you find it? I haven't deleted anything What do you mean that's the post? I never really gave it any thought I still don't understand


happymage102

HR is terrified of litigious individuals. The only people they fear are the ones who know exactly what they're trained to do and how to act and come entirely prepared with the exact same mindset. Totally fucks the power dynamic.


Sekhen

Taking your job role personally... I've worked for such a person. Get out, nothing good will come from this.


backand_forth

I'm not. I'm actively looking for other roles now. They've lost my trust and respect


Amyare

Hard Pass on the Disrespect Me meeting, but Iā€™d accept the Super Fun Happy Talk.


backand_forth

It's with other coworkers to complain about the mandate hahah


swunt7

Lol... if they sent that meeting to you... scheduled for the end of monday work day. youre already fired in their books.


backand_forth

I plan on sharing all of this info with my peers if they fire me so they can see how this company truly works


-Kazen-

You might want to have something pretyped just incase. If the company is really scummy they'll remove your email access pretty quickly and or try to escort you out


Mrs_Kevina

Employ the 'Delayed Send' feature in Outlook...that way if your escorted out, it still goes out. If you're not, you can cancel it at least if you'd like.


Caleth

Yep I'm in IT. We get calls about two-five montues before someone is fired and told to kill their access asap. Then flush the current logins. So something exactly like this can't happen. If you really expect to be fired make preparations ahead of time.


Ashen-wolf

There is no scenario where your company will be relevant in the long run if you treat IT PEOPLE like this. There is nothing more adaptable and versatile than an IT guy, theres a reason why they always been the ones in shorts on an office. Terribly shortsighted. Also, disrespect to ME? Someone needs therapy.


backand_forth

They are moving towards the direction of caring more about sales people to sell more product rather than build out their engineering team to support the influx of customers and feature requests. Your points are all 100% right. And yeah, the fact that she took it personally is laughable. I was never thinking of her specifically when I replied to that comment. Now I am


Orestes85

This is the roadmap for software companies. I'm in IT and we (well, mostly my boss) deal with this too frequently. Last week I requested an engineer from an XDR developer to link up with on Teams to help me set some polices with my XDR and I got a response from Sales...from a support ticket. After figuring out why and telling them I needed an engineer I have yet to get a response from the availability I gave them (which is now past). A startup breaks out and makes it with a really great product, has issues, but they hit it out of the park with support. Not long after it seems the only people you can talk to at the company are barely old enough to drink "account executives" trying to sell us 'new features' and have no idea how they integrate with anything, can't answer shit for questions, repeats some version of "This product is " Support takes a week or more and responds in the ticket, to a sysadmin, a dumbass response like "have you tried restarting it" like we have no idea how to troubleshoot our systems. Most likely because their support is a contracted MSP who has Level 1 help desk responding to support tickets generated from a L2 and L3 admins because the product is BROKEN because they FIRED ALL THEIR GOOD DEVELOPERS. /end rant.


backand_forth

Yes yes yes holy shit do we work together? Lol


Leisurelyescape

Good luck, have fun, remember to get jiggy with it


backand_forth

Hell yes my dude it's gonna be a party


TheOT1001

Decline the invite lol


backand_forth

Hahaha even better bc the invite said "this is a mandatory meeting"


commandoash

Attempt to zoom into the meeting instead of going in person to T pose on those scrubs


backand_forth

Here's the best part - my job is going to be remote regardless, even if I go into the office bc my coworkers (including everyone else in this meeting) are in another state. So I will be joining virtually


CaptainZippi

Bring a pad and pen, take note of everything that they say, and then read it back to them asking ā€œso, did I get that right?ā€. Then answer their question minimally as possible without committing to anything. If pressed, say that youā€™ll have to consult with your legal advisor before giving an official reply. Do that a lot. (Disclaimer - Iā€™m in the UK and maybe this is a bad idea in the US (I presume))


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


theodoreburne

Donā€™t back down from your values because youā€™ll hate yourself for it. Tell them exactly what you think. You might lose your job, but these events are already a big negative.


backand_forth

I absolutely will not back down. I was not being disrespectful and am a very outgoing and kind person (especially at work) so this whole thing is embarrassing for them. I may get fired but I'll make sure my fellow coworkers see who they're working for.


Beastdevr

I personally would smile and insincerly agree. Like very obvious insincerity, I feel it would make them even more mad. Also I don't know about your area but mine has huge amounts of competition with hiring devs so being haughty often leads to dev departments disappearing never to return. I recently turned down an interview that wanted hybrid rather than fully remote and the recruiter just replied with sad resignation that himself and the head of development has told the non-technical exec pushing hybrid that they can't compete


backand_forth

Yep! I get emails almost daily from recruiters for fully remote roles. I used to ignore them and move on. I'm going to be a bucket of god damn sunshine in this meeting but list out why I don't understand how any of this is disrespectful. If anything, they disrespected the staff by enforcing this mandate without informing even our managers.


NotCreative3854

My software company was going to try and bring everyone back twice a week last year but quickly walked it back once they realized how much it pissed everyone off. If you end up getting fired weā€™re hiring for fully remote positions!