Back to the Office Cooler? It Might Not Happen for Some Ford Employees

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

By now, most Americans are sick of seeing the inside of their own homes, but not everyone falls into that camp. There’s pros to go with working from home that, in some cases, outweigh the cons.

Ford Motor Company, which sent 30,000 U.S. employees home amid the coronavirus pandemic, wants to hear from this cohort on whether remote work should become the status quo.

Not for all, probably, but maybe for some. As automakers figure out how they return to normal operations in a world plagued by a lurking virus, the benefits of keeping a contingent of employees out of the office are clear. A depleted population in non-manufacturing work spaces would lessen the likelihood of a viral outbreak. Maybe Ford could shut off the lights and save some cash that way, as well as do away with cleaning and screening procedures.

The environment would breathe easier with fewer commuters on the road, and other drivers would, too. Consenting adults might be tempted into fewer marriage-destroying affairs.

As reported by The Detroit News, Ford has begun surveying the 30,000 housebound employees for their thoughts on how the company should move forward on the whole office life thing.

“We’re going to learn a ton between September and December,” Ford’s chief human resources officer, Kiersten Robinson, Ford’s chief human resources officer, told the paper. “I do anticipate we will have some employees who would like to continue to work from home indefinitely.”

Earlier this month, Ford announced that its salaried workforce would remain working from home until September. Other automakers find themselves grappling with the same issue. It’s unlikely any will see things truly return to normal without the discovery of a effective coronavirus treatment or vaccine. Face-to-face meetings, crowded rooms, and general duration of exposure to others are all risk factors in viral transmission. And wearing a mask indoors all day long sounds exquisitely hellish.

From The Detroit News:

The survey will ask remote employees whether they would prefer to return to the workplace; take a blended approach that allows them to alternate between remote work and coming into the office; or work remotely on a permanent basis.

Whether employees who wish to work remotely full-time will be allowed to do so will be determined based on conversations between the employee and their supervisor, Robinson said.

Since the company restarted its factories, some 100,000 Ford workers have returned to the production line, along with with 12,000 non-manufacturing employees whose jobs can’t be accomplished remotely. The remainder will apparently dictate their own futures.

[Image: Ford]

Steph Willems
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  • EBFlex EBFlex on Jun 17, 2020

    So Ford is continuing the corona cold nonsense for the white collar workers (because they’re moronic and think corona is something to be afraid of) yet the blue collar workers don’t get that luxury and have to get to work in the factories. Not only is Ford is incredibly stupid but they’re astoundingly hypocritical too. Got it

  • Inside Looking Out Inside Looking Out on Jun 17, 2020

    Commuting becomes dangerous in Bay area because your car may be vandalized while on parking or even on freeway if they stop traffic. I try staying closer to home at all times.

  • ToolGuy Ford is good at drifting all right... 😉
  • Dave Holzman A design award for the Prius?!!! Yes, the Prius is a great looking car, but the visibility is terrible from what I've read, notably Consumer Reports. Bad visibility is a dangerous, and very annoying design flaw.
  • Wjtinfwb I've owned multiple Mustang's, none perfect, all an absolute riot. My '85 GT with a big Holley 4 barrel and factory tube header manifolds was a screaming deal in its day and loved to rev. I replaced it with an '88 5.0 Convertible and added a Supercharger. Speed for days, handling... present. Brakes, ummm. But I couldn't kill it and it embarrassed a lot of much more expensive machinery. A '13 Boss 302 in Gotta Have It Green was a subtle as a sledgehammer, open up the exhaust cut outs and every day was Days of Thunder. I miss them all. They've gotten too expensive and too plush, I think, wish they'd go back to a LX version, ditch all the digital crap, cloth interior and just the Handling package as an add on. Keep it under 40k and give todays kids an alternative to a Civic or WRX.
  • Jpolicke In a communist dictatorship, there isn't much export activity that the government isn't aware of. That being the case, if the PRC wanted to, they could cut the flow of fentanyl down to a trickle. Since that isn't happening, I therefore assume Xi Jinping doesn't want it cut. China needs to feel the consequences for knowingly poisoning other countries' citizens.
  • El scotto Oh, ye nattering nabobs of negativism! Think of countries like restaurants. Our neighbors to the north and south are almost as good and the service is fantastic. They're awfully close to being as good as the US. Oh the Europeans are interesting and quaint but you really only go there a few times a year. Gents, the US is simply the hottest restaurant in town. Have to stand in line to get in? Of course. Can you hand out bribes to get in quicker? Of course. Suppliers and employees? Only the best on a constant basis.Did I mention there is a dress code? We strictly enforce it. Don't like it? Suck it.
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