By learning the generalized re-containment, Alexandre * expected to stop by the office to get his computer, his files, say goodbye to his colleagues and go home. As in March 2020. Employee of the Total group at the headquarters of La Défense (Paris), he was therefore surprised to receive this instruction on Friday October 30: We recommend face-to-face work two days a week
, stipulates a document sent to all employees of the group. Alexandre, who knows the company well having been employed there for ten years, assures us that this recommendation is not one: It is experienced as an obligation. I was made to understand that I had to come to the office, although my position is 100% teleworkable
. Enough to revive bad memories. Last May, at the time of deconfinement, the employee of the oil group was moved by the massive and sudden return of employees to the headquarters of Defense: I found it irresponsible so I alerted my management. But my arm was twisted.
“It doesn’t amuse me to stay locked up at home”
In the document in question, the Total group justifies its decision by the fact that some activities require teamwork
and by a concern to preserve social ties
. However, as Alexandre points out, confinement is precisely aimed at limit social interactions.
I have no religion when it comes to teleworking, it doesn’t amuse me to stay locked up at home. But we’re all battling a virus and I wish I could do my part.
Contacted, the Total group affirms that the presence on site is on a voluntary basis
and that teleworking remains the rule.
We still need to reduce social interactions and travel. This means that all workers whose activities can be carried out remotely must telecommute.
Telecommuting is not an option. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/pjapCgVmof
— Elisabeth BORNE (@Elisabeth_Borne) October 29, 2020
Joker
It is not only in the business district of La Défense that companies slow down remote work. In Tarn-et-Garonne, Sarah, project manager in a community of municipalities, is only entitled to one day of teleworking per week. Ascent, the young woman argued to her management that it was not an option, as the government said
.
He was then told that it was difficult to follow the work of the employees remotely. A wild card brandished by many companies, but which does not convince Sarah: In this case, it’s a management problem, no teleworking
, she breathes.I work with traders who are forced to close their shop, and we all come together at the office.
Benefits of the collective
Others, finally, welcome this flexibility with a certain enthusiasm. In the end, I couldn’t take teleworking anymore, I became much less productive
, remembers Charlie, graphic designer in Lyon. When the reconfinement was announced, his communications agency suggested that he only telework, face-to-face, or a bit of both. I chose to go to the office every other week.
Enough to preserve his motivation and the creative ideas that arise from direct exchanges with colleagues. Even if, in absolute terms, we could do everything remotely.
* The first name has been changed
– .
