It's No Longer a Boomer Thing: Face Time

 RTO mandates are growing in overall number and how many days employees have to be back in the office. What used to be called "face time" has re-emerged as critical to a career.

On Reddit Big Law a 2nd-year associate was put on a PIP (Proposal to Improve Performance). One reason, put in writing, was that on some of the mandated RTO days they left the office at 4:30 PM to continue work at home. Their generation probably is too inexperienced in The Office to get it how widely and closely they are being "watched." 

In boomer times, when Corporate America was peaking, there was that old joke that so little really happens in a formal office setting because workers are watching other workers watch them and the superiors are watching everyone watching them in addition to watching them. 

I vividly recall how in my Fortune 50 days wondering where ABC was. Several blurted out in unison, "They went into Joe's office seven minutes ago." 

Brass are not excluded from The Watch. Not then and apparently not now. 

On professional anonymous networks now and then it gets mentioned at Paul, Weiss law firm how the chair Brad Karp comports himself, especially when in the company of VIP outsiders, when walking the corridors of the building on the Avenue of The Americas. 

There had been chatter from NewsCorp that when Rupert Murdoch navigated the newsroom faces would automatically turn toward him as they would to a sun-god. 

When I had an assignment in a Wall Street firm in downtown Manhattan, a hush descended when XYZ entered the floor. One whispered to me, "That's him." 

Maybe the lucky in an office setting with none of the newfangled glass interiors can close their doors. But do that on a regular basis and, you bet, you could be perceived as anything from "unfriendly" to "unavailable." That can hurt your career. 

In addition, it is wise to arrive before the standard business hours for that particular setting and not leave until the power structure hangs it up for the day. Good to eat at your desk. 

Meanwhile, four-days a week RTO is becoming a trend in Big Law. Already it's mandated ranging from Simpson Thacher to Ropes & Gray. Some with power or implicit permission are ignoring that. Most balk but conform, especially if their attendance is linked to their bonus.

In coaching, I tutor the need to conform to organizational policies in this labor market. Not doing so delivers a very negative message about your commitment to the work. 

In most cases you have only one shot in communications. Jane Genova is a communications coach and content-creator. Complimentary consultation (please text 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com) 



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