I had an email exchange with my boss today about a recent placement that was bungled by miscommunication regarding expectations for work travel. The client is asking for consultants associated with a particular project to travel 50% (every other week) once the "back to the office" initiative is in full swing. The candidate has circumstances that only allow her to travel once a month, and this turned out to be a deal-breaker.
Here is what I told my boss:
Here is what I told my boss:
I think we are going to find as the smoke clears and the workforce returns to whatever the "new normal" will be that people's attitudes have changed about travel. There are some people who can't wait to get back on the road and others who are more reticent, especially with proof over the last year and a half that the work gets done regardless.
My own views started to evolve after my two-year stint for a Baltimore client when I was traveling across the country sometimes every week. Whether home or onsite, the client still gets its 40 hours of work and my company still sends the invoice for 40 hours. The consultant is the one who takes the hit when traveling in the form of being away from loved ones, loss of personal time, and negative impact to health, not to mention the new hassles associated with navigating the COVID world.
Companies ask employees to be flexible, but companies also need to be flexible. The real estate market is a seller's market right now, and I think it's an employee's job market right now. My LinkedIn has been blowing up with all kinds of messages from recruiters.
I told him I know my view doesn't "toe the company line," but I wanted to get it out there so he knows where I stand. He replied that he doesn't disagree with me and that it's a constant challenge balancing client requirements with resources that meet the requirements.
Aren't these two phrases interesting: "I agree with you." "I don't disagree with you." Logically they mean the same thing, but the tone differs between each one.
The pandemic has changed the world in many ways, not the least of which is how we work. Companies better realize that they don't have as much power as they used to. Exemplary employees who have plenty of demonstrated success, skills, and experience are not going to tolerate unfavorable working conditions when there are many other opportunities available.
I told him I know my view doesn't "toe the company line," but I wanted to get it out there so he knows where I stand. He replied that he doesn't disagree with me and that it's a constant challenge balancing client requirements with resources that meet the requirements.
Aren't these two phrases interesting: "I agree with you." "I don't disagree with you." Logically they mean the same thing, but the tone differs between each one.
The pandemic has changed the world in many ways, not the least of which is how we work. Companies better realize that they don't have as much power as they used to. Exemplary employees who have plenty of demonstrated success, skills, and experience are not going to tolerate unfavorable working conditions when there are many other opportunities available.
It is great that you have told your boss where you stand. Very few people will be ok with the crazy demands that employers have been putting on us.
It is most definitely an employee's market. Most people I know that have a good level of skill and experience have 2 or more jobs. And almost all have decided to quit whichever of the jobs require them to come in person so they can continue the lifestyle they have created for themselves. This is the new normal.