Disney employees resist return

 Walt Disney Co.'s recent announcement that its corporate employees will be required

to return to the office four days a week has met with pushback from thousands of its workers. In a petition signed by around 2,300 employees, workers called for the company's CEO Bob Iger to reconsider the policy, citing concerns about potential negative consequences that could harm the company in the long run.

According to the petition, a return to the office would lead to "forced resignations among some of our most hard-to-replace talent and vulnerable communities." It could also significantly reduce productivity, output, and efficiency, and cause institutional knowledge loss. In essence, workers believe that the return-to-office policy would slow down or even reverse the company's post-COVID recovery and growth.

Disney's decision to require employees to return to the office four days a week is a departure from the trend among many companies who are continuing to embrace remote work. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many companies to adopt remote work policies, which has led to a new normal for many workers. However, as vaccination rates continue to increase, companies are now grappling with the question of how to reintroduce workers to the physical workplace.

The issue of whether to return to the office or continue remote work is a complex one. While some employees may appreciate the opportunity to interact face-to-face with colleagues and experience the camaraderie of a shared workplace, others may be hesitant to give up the flexibility that remote work offers. Additionally, there are concerns about the potential health risks of returning to the office, especially for those who have not yet been vaccinated.

In this context, it is clear that Disney's decision has not gone down well with a significant number of its employees. The petition is a clear indication that workers want their voices heard and that they are not willing to accept a return-to-office policy without proper consultation and consideration of their concerns.

It remains to be seen how Disney will respond to the petition and whether the company will reconsider its policy. However, the push back from employees highlights the importance of listening to workers and engaging with them when it comes to making significant policy decisions that impact their lives and the company as a whole. Ultimately, a collaborative approach to decision-making could help create a workplace that works for everyone.

Ahsan Tariq

Department of Management Science 

Preston University

Reg#1093-114118

ahsantariq28715@outlook.com