Cary Cooper Criticizes Companies for Office Mandates

Sir Cary Cooper, a leading expert who coined the term 'presenteeism', has criticized companies like Amazon for mandating full-time office work, labeling them 'dinosaurs of our age'. He argues that such mandates undermine employee well-being and could drive away talented workers, as they reflect an outdated management style that lacks trust in employees. Cooper emphasizes that flexible working options enhance productivity and retention, countering the belief among some executives that remote work leads to laziness. Recent changes by Amazon and others towards a full return to the office are echoed by a KPMG survey indicating a growing expectation for in-person work. While proponents cite benefits to collaboration and company culture, Cooper warns that these moves contradict evidence and could worsen presenteeism. He insists that valuing employee autonomy is essential for modern workforce dynamics.