The office isn't functioning as it should, which is why people are locking themselves at home.

Maybe it's the atmosphere? Perhaps it's the annoying colleague? Or could it be as simple as the bad coffee?

The latter is far more preferable. You can easily upgrade that. The atmosphere, on the other hand, is ingrained in the walls and is a tougher matter to transform.

I'm getting tired of all the articles and debates that question remote work and the fact that the country's office workers don't want to return to the office. Oh!

We need to discuss the office, not the various home, away, hidden, secret, or cottage offices.

So refreshing to read the article Nils Brede Moe shared today about changing the perspective on remote work.

I commented in pure joy and enthusiasm that we need to make the office so useful and attractive that people have FOMO for not being there.

And how do we do that?

We need to get to the root of the problem. Engage with people. Look within ourselves.

We must understand why a desk in the attic is more appealing to some than a desk at the office.

Since the start of the pandemic, I've strongly disagreed with the restrictions and regulations on remote work.

I've loudly said that I don't want arrangements that dictate the number of days one must be at the office.

This is for the simple reason that tasks requiring office presence at times necessitate being there five days a week, not two.

But even more importantly, because my colleagues are smart enough to feel responsible for their presence for their colleagues and leaders without my or our involvement.

If this trust from us as employers is abused, we have a different problem.

It's not remote work.