Surprise, surprise - Elon Musk doesn't like people working from home

Elon Musk
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Twitter and Tesla - or more specifically, Elon Musk - have been among the most vocal companies concerning a return to the office now that workers can once again engage ‘normally’ following the pandemic. Musk has spoken out (unfavorably) again about WFH, but not for the reason you may think.

While many companies are battling with making the right decision, and workers are becoming increasingly disgruntled about mixed messages and high expectations, Musk has long been clear about his expectation that workers should be primarily based from their formal workplace.

In an interview with CNBC, Tesla CEO Musk described tech workers as “laptop classes living in la-la-land,” implying that working from anywhere is merely a fantasy.

Musk on working from home

Rather than citing productivity and engagement (which he, and many other companies, have done), this time Musk calls out the “laptop classes” for being insensitive to other workers. 

He told CNBC that they should get off their “moral high horse” and return to work just like other service workers have had to do in the months and years following the pandemic, stating that it’s “morally wrong.”

Having reduced Twitter’s workforce dramatically, the majority of Musk’s workers across all companies are now required to work in the office, at least for most of the working week.

Other company CEOs have spoken out about WFH in a similarly unfavorable manner, but the most typical reason often boils down to poor productivity at home, which is accentuated by the lack of ad-hoc interaction that takes place online.

The news comes just weeks ahead of Musk stepping down as controversial CEO for the social networking platform, having announced a successor in Linda Yaccarino.

Via CNBC

Craig Hale

With several years’ experience freelancing in tech and automotive circles, Craig’s specific interests lie in technology that is designed to better our lives, including AI and ML, productivity aids, and smart fitness. He is also passionate about cars and the decarbonisation of personal transportation. As an avid bargain-hunter, you can be sure that any deal Craig finds is top value!

Read more
Trump on his inauguration day
Trump orders government to terminate remote work arrangements, return to in-person work
Dell Technologies World 2024
Dell ends hybrid work policy, becomes latest tech giant to force workers back to the office full-time
Stress
Remote workers are more productive and face less interruptions than their office-only co-workers
Tesla Model 3 2025
I’ve driven the Tesla Model 3, but Elon Musk is making it hard for us all to love the brand
young workers being productive in an office meeting
Nationwide boss says women working at home could be missing out on job opportunities
Co-workers banging their knuckles together in a show of solidarity and support.
Finding workplace harmony: navigating noise in the return to the office
Latest in Pro
cybersecurity
What's the right type of web hosting for me?
Security padlock and circuit board to protect data
Trust in digital services around the world sees a massive drop as security worries continue
Hacker silhouette working on a laptop with North Korean flag on the background
North Korea unveils new military unit targeting AI attacks
An image of network security icons for a network encircling a digital blue earth.
US government warns agencies to make sure their backups are safe from NAKIVO security issue
Laptop computer displaying logo of WordPress, a free and open-source content management system (CMS)
This top WordPress plugin could be hiding a worrying security flaw, so be on your guard
construction
Building in the digital age: why construction’s future depends on scaling jobsite intelligence
Latest in News
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
Samsung's rumored smart specs may be launching before the end of 2025
Apple iPhone 16 Review
The latest iPhone 18 leak hints at a major chipset upgrade for all four models
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Monday, March 24 (game #1155)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, March 24 (game #386)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, March 24 (game #652)
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 23 (game #1154)