Have a new manager that took over our front office/admin team. the whole company is a hybrid company. 3 remote, two days in office. we are a mental health clinic and have about a 80% telehealth clientele. we are in an area where there is not a lot of foot traffic either for walk ins. the company recently moved to a smaller building and there are shared office spaces now. the new manager believes the front office team should be in person everyday (team of 3 people not including manager). The schedules that front office team has now are working and there have been no issues since implementing it in January. manager came in March. they keep stating the last job they managed their front office people were in person, and they think this team should too. there's literally no issues or reason to change the schedule, but manager insist on doing so. anyone know why? I think it's a control issue and I'm not sure why managers continue to want to pay this card and risk losing valuable employees.

14 Comments

1. AnonymousMay 15,2026 at 2:47AM UTC

   Hello: Some higher ups feel that being in person allows better interactions than Remote. The leap is that all days in office is even better. For new employees and interns this can be true. They need to develop as employees. For established employees the need is not so major. Hope this helps.

2. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdMay 15,2026 at 1:09PM UTC

   While there are benefits to people being in person in the office, if a hybrid schedule has been working, the new manager will need to explain with more than just "at my last job the people were in person".

   There are additional costs that may have to be considered. You may be right in that they're wanting control, but it could be to gain a more collaborative or team effort. I certainly feel it's within your right to ask for a detailed explanation as to why.

3. QueenOfNumbersMay 16,2026 at 8:08PM UTC

   This is an easy one. They don't think you're actually working, so they need you in person, to keep control over you. Boomer management is always like this.

4. ppinesJune 2,2026 at 8:45AM UTC

   My boss is Gen X and has the same mentatlity....

5. AnonymousJuly 1,2026 at 12:14PM UTC

   The other C word. It’s all about control

   No reason to be in person if you’re not public facing.

6. AnonymousMay 18,2026 at 10:24AM UTC

   Reason is personal preference. She has the authority so she gets to choose.

7. AnonymousMay 26,2026 at 6:23PM UTC

   That in of itself isn’t a good enough reason, at least imo. OP should gone with metrics of prior successes, and ideas (eg: shared front desk days so 1-2 are present and the other remote) that could work for everyone. OP has a right to a rationale as well. If managers feel they this is best, then accommodations (eg: own desks, high walled cubicles) should be made for a productive team. If I were in the authors shoes, I’d start looking elsewhere. Grateful to be eligible for retirement.

8. maria roseMay 19,2026 at 6:14PM UTC

   Don’t be so negative reactive to the request for more in person time until you actually go through the motions of doing so and try to have a sit down conversation about some flexibility in your work schedule. There’s a reason why both situations work and why there’s a need for in office in person time is needed. And it has nothing to do with your work performance but what works for the company overall. There’s a middle ground that can be achieved

9. AnonymousMay 25,2026 at 1:22PM UTC

   To justify the rental or lease cost $$ of the office space. It’s always about the money.

10. AnonymousMay 26,2026 at 1:47PM UTC

    Control and trying to make their mark in an environment they don't truly understand yet. Exerting dominance and wanting to appear in charge and actively managing while making unnecessary changes for optics. I'm sorry you're dealing with this.

11. AnonymousJuly 1,2026 at 12:11PM UTC

    My same sex husband is find through this. His group passed over a well qualified man in his late 50’s and hired a younger man with no relevant experience. People carp about DEI but I can’t believe that there wasn’t a woman or POC that had the relevant experience.

    or even another white man!

12. AnonymousMay 26,2026 at 3:00PM UTC

    Sooo - unfortunately, this is the new trend. I have been working remotely for more than 15 years and have also managed remote teams - who are often more effective and achieve more goals and outstanding service than in-person teams.

    I agree with many comments that many upper echelon folks (particularly older folks - but not all of them) think that people working from home are not working - this is because they are not effective managers and do not know how to effectively manage teams' outcomes beyond being able to visually see them in their seats...

    it is about control and also about finances - as someone else noted - being able to justify the need for capital assets (buildings, equipment, etc.) that increase a company's worth.

    It sucks...

    I only have a few years left before I retire - but I will never go back working an in-person job. The costs are too high - gas, vehicle insurance and upkeep, clothing, worse work-life balance and more....it's just not worth it...

    Good luck!!

13. AnonymousJuly 1,2026 at 5:24PM UTC

    Most companies, regardless of reasons, want their staff back in the office or at least part of their staff.

    Sorry about this but do not have a say.

14. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdJuly 8,2026 at 1:04PM UTC

    Hello!

    I don't know that it's a control issue, but I do question why a manager would suddenly want people in the office if the hybrid schedule has worked just fine. Perhaps, because they're new, they want to get a better feel for the team and therefore have you meet in person? You could check and see if this is a permanent solution and if your boss is thinking so, I would suggest the team gather together and present reasons why the current schedule has worked - along with reasons why going fully into the office could be an issue ( travel time, daycare, etc).