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JPMorgan Chase employees are urging chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon to uphold the hybrid work model that has been in place for several years, advocating for expanded resources to accommodate more flexible work schedules. This call to action emerges as the bank plans to end its hybrid model, mandating that all 300,000 plus employees return to the office five days a week starting next month.
A collective of employees identifying as “JPMC Workers” has initiated a petition, which became public on February 9. Directed at Dimon, the petition advocates for enhanced working conditions for all staff and presents arguments for maintaining the hybrid work structure.
The standard practice of full-time office work underwent significant changes six years ago, notably due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many organizations, including JPMorgan Chase, adopted a hybrid approach that employees argue resulted in lower operational costs, improved employee morale, and increased retention rates. According to the petition, the bank has continued to experience financial success under this model, reporting a net income of $58.5 billion for fiscal year 2024—a rise from the previous year’s record $49.6 billion.
“The transition to hybrid work was challenging, but it prompted learning and adaptation, which we believe should continue at leadership levels,” stated the petition.
On January 10, JPMorgan Chase faced considerable backlash when it declared all employees must return to the office full-time. Currently, about 40% of the workforce operates under a hybrid system, working three days in the office. Communication to employees began in January, indicating that those on a hybrid schedule must shift to full-time office attendance starting March 3 or March 10. Certain locations, such as the Polaris regional headquarters in Ohio, have received a more extended timeline for compliance.
The petition requests the preservation of the hybrid model for applicable job roles and suggests that the bank allocate resources to allow greater employee flexibility. It also advocates for remote employees to have the ability to work from any JPMorgan corporate office nearby.
Critics within the petition argue that the strict mandate for full-time office work represents a significant regression, negatively impacting not just employees but also customers, investors, and the bank’s public image. They further contend that the policy exacerbates traffic issues and pollution levels while disproportionately affecting women, caregivers, senior employees, and those with disabilities.
As of now, JPMorgan Chase has chosen not to comment on the petition.
Additionally, the bank is nearing completion of its new global headquarters in Manhattan, which is set to open this summer. The estimated $3 billion investment has resulted in a 1,388-foot tall, 60-story all-electric skyscraper designed to attract returning employees. Recently, Fortune reported on the modern amenities in the building, which includes spacious workspaces, integrated smart technology, and a variety of dining options and wellness facilities.
However, most employees do not work at the new headquarters and do not have access to these features. Instead, many work in conventional corporate offices that are often overcrowded and uncomfortable. The petition highlights the limitations of the first-come, first-serve seating policy that complicates the use of personal setups like specific keyboards or mice.
“This situation has left many of us feeling undervalued and betrayed,” the petition asserts.
Some employees have expressed skepticism about the authenticity of the petition, fearing it might lead the company to identify dissenters. One employee, wishing to remain anonymous, remarked about a concern that the initiative could be a tactic used by the company to gather information on its critics.
This unease may contribute to the petition’s modest initial support, with only 225 signatures recorded by the afternoon of the last update. “It needs broader visibility; there’s hesitation to promote it on public platforms like LinkedIn,” the worker noted.
Independent verification confirms that JPMorgan is not involved with the petition site. The platform includes an option for signers to claim they are employees, but methods to verify this status appear limited. Signature counts and names display publicly on the site.
As the petition gains attention, JPMorgan Chase is also experiencing a wave of unionization efforts among its workforce. Reports from last month indicate that a group of about a dozen employees has reached out to the Communications Workers of America (CWA) for support, particularly after a successful unionization effort at Wells Fargo.
The interest in unionization appears to be growing, with the number of JPMorgan employees in contact with the CWA reportedly doubling. Ongoing organization and communication among workers are critical as they explore the pathway to potential union formation.
Unionizing is a gradual process, often requiring years of groundwork before any formal votes take place, as illustrated by Wells Fargo’s recent experiences.
“It’s going to take a considerable amount of time,” noted another employee who supports unionization and prefers to remain anonymous.
This story was originally covered on Fortune.com.
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