NEWARK, N.J.–Across the country millions of Americans remain unemployed due to the COVID-19 shutdown. Many businesses, however, have adapted to the crisis by allowing their employees to work from home. But one manager fears this new dynamic may lead to too much life satisfaction.
Greg Harrington has worked as a senior manager for a communications firm in Newark for nearly twenty years. He says he was stunned when the company’s owner allowed employees to work from home.
“I suggested layoffs, but Jack let them take their laptops home. Forget the security risks, and we could talk about that all day. I don’t believe you should be completely comfortable while you work. It’s not good for motivation or production.”
Greg Harrington, senior manager
Additionally, Harrington doesn’t like the fact that his employees can’t be directly monitored. “How in the hell do I know they aren’t watching Netflix or doing the laundry while they work? You think they’re going to be effective in their living rooms? Are you kidding me?”
For years, Harrington’s motto, asses in seats, rang through the halls of his building and instilled a culture of fear-based management. Now he has been forced to work through a computer with video chat.
Harrington admitted that even employees avoiding a miserable and lengthy commute to work annoys him. And he feels that directly confronting people at their desks is the most effective communication style.
“When I send a message, they read it,” he said. “When I chew them out in their seats, they feel it. I’ll let you guess which method gets more done.”
Harrington believes things will eventually get back to normal but says he lies awake at night thinking about employees avoiding the office. “It just feels like they’re getting away with something.”
He did say, however, that he was happy to learn that many teleworkers are experiencing cabin fever, as well as stress due to being stuck around partners and roommates all day and night.
“At least there is some silver lining to this whole thing,” he said at last.
