Forced RTO
Pros
It is enjoyable to work at the cutting edge of science and innovation. I still have a job and have not been laid off.
Cons
The past 3 years with WFH has been transformative to the organization, but for some reason, they are attempting to drag the company back into the 1980s like the internet doesn't exist. C-level and VP-level executives are obsessed with RTO at the SSF site, even for people that work in globally distributed teams. They have begun to count badge swipes to punish employees that don't comply to set an example. Yearly cost of living raises are not keeping up with inflation and most employees have lost somewhere in the range of 10-15% in spending power over the past 3 years. HR will claim that yearly cost of living raises are given to keep up with the cost of labor, but words like these don't pay for rent, food, or energy costs that are spiraling in the Bay Area. The lab scientists have seen massive budget cuts this year and are forced to scrounge and negotiate with all of their suppliers to have reagents, materials, and basic lab supplies to perform their experiments or risk missing their goals. DEI efforts are talked about like things are going great, but the newly formed gCS department leadership team was just filled entirely with middle-aged white men.
