Telework: A change of course that doesn’t make workers happy

Nearly a year after their employer promised to make the telework policy permanent, workers at American insurance company Farmers Group are complaining that they have to go to the office three days a week.

Ever since new Chief Executive Raul Vargas announced last month that his employees would return to the office three days a week, there has been discontent among farmers’ union staff.

With the promise that the work-from-home approach is here to stay, many have made important life choices, such as selling their car, expanding their workspace at home, or moving to another city.

Many employees rioted on Farmers Group’s Internet social media platform for employees, with some chanting for unions, according to what “The Wall Street Journal” saw.

“I sold my house and moved in with my grandchildren. So sad that I made a huge financial decision based on a lie,” the claims department employee wrote in one post.

Others are also employed as teleworkers. “It’s clearly a nasty coup,” said another employee in the medical claims department, who said the company had promised its telecommuting policy was here to stay.

On the Farmers Group administration side, this course change aims to “combine the best of both worlds”.

It’s “taking everything we’ve gained from flexible, virtual working with all the teamwork and collaboration we get when we work together in the office,” Vargas said in an email to employees.

The company reminded that the change will only take effect from September to give employees time to adjust.