Jamie Dimon Blames ‘Middle People’ for Pushback Against JPMorgan’s Return-to-Office Mandate

Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan Chase, has made headlines for his firm stance on returning to the office (RTO).

Last month, Dimon became the center of controversy following a strong response to employee pushback against the bank’s new mandate requiring all 317,000 employees to work from the office five days a week.

While Dimon later apologized for his harsh language, he remained firm that employees must comply with the policy if they wish to remain with the company.

During a recent interview at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Dimon elaborated on his views regarding remote work, highlighting that only “people in the middle” are the ones resisting the return-to-office mandate.

“People in the Middle Complain”

When asked about his perspective on work-from-home, the 68-year-old CEO explained that remote work is a privilege granted to only a select few.

Most jobs, he argued, require employees to be physically present at their workplace.

“If you work in a restaurant, you have to be in. You all may not know this, but 60% of Americans worked the whole time,” Dimon said, likely referring to the pandemic period when essential workers continued working while others stayed home.

He continued, “Where did you get your Amazon packages from? Your beef, your meat, your vodka? Where did you get the diapers from?”

Dimon listed various professions that require physical presence, including delivery services, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and emergency services. “It’s only these people in the middle who complain a lot about it,” he added.

Dimon’s remarks sparked laughter from the audience. He clarified that while he respects employees’ preference for remote work, it is ultimately the company’s decision.

“I completely respect people that don’t want to go to the office all five days a week. That’s your right. But they should respect that the company is going to decide what’s good for the clients and the company—not an individual,” he stated.

JPMorgan’s Strict RTO Policy

Earlier this month, JPMorgan Chase implemented a strict return-to-office mandate, ending its previous hybrid model.

Most of the company’s 300,000 employees are now required to work from the office full-time.

Despite employee complaints about desk shortages and poor Wi-Fi, Dimon has stood by the policy, claiming that remote work “doesn’t work in our business.”

Dimon reiterated his belief that remote work is ineffective for the financial giant. “Where did you get your Amazon packages from? Your beef, your meat, your vodka?” he repeated during the Stanford interview, emphasizing that most industries require workers to be onsite.

According to Dimon, only “people in the middle” — corporate office workers — are unhappy about the mandate. He argued that in-person interactions are crucial for career development, particularly for younger employees.

“You have less conversations at the water cooler and cafeteria,” Dimon explained. He believes that the lack of face-to-face communication hinders younger employees’ growth and knowledge.

Challenges with Remote Work

Dimon also highlighted the inefficiencies of remote work, noting that virtual communication lacks the flow of in-person discussions. He claimed that employees often lose focus during video calls.

“So I tell you, it doesn’t work in our business. And for culture, you talk about culture—it’s impossible to do culture that way,” he stated.

He further pointed out a generational divide in work habits. “I have a problem with younger people coming in but not their bosses,” he said, suggesting that senior employees need to lead by example in returning to the office.

Defending the Policy Amid Backlash

Dimon addressed the backlash stemming from his comments during a town hall meeting last month, where leaked audio captured his frustration with employee resistance.

“I don’t care how many people sign that f***ing petition,” Dimon reportedly said, responding to the 1,900 employees who signed a petition requesting a hybrid work schedule.

He acknowledged that he should not have used foul language but maintained that JPMorgan’s policy stands.

“Obviously, I should never curse and I emote. I get up on stage and say, ‘You what? You’re going to do what?’ I’m a human being, I’m like everybody else,” he remarked.

Dimon insisted that the return-to-office mandate is about ensuring the company’s success and maintaining a strong corporate culture. “It’s my job to make sure the company operates effectively. That means being in the office,” he emphasized.

Remote Work Where It Works

Despite the strict policy, JPMorgan still allows remote work for certain roles. About 10% of the bank’s jobs, including virtual call center positions in Baltimore and Detroit, remain fully remote.

“We did it to see if they’d be effective. They’re highly effective,” Dimon said. “They work from home; they’re mostly minorities. That’s why we did it. It’s a home run. So I’m not against it where it works.”

According to Bloomberg, 60% of JPMorgan’s workforce, including managing directors and sales staff, were already working from the office five days a week.

The shift to a full-time, in-person model affected back-office employees who had previously worked on a hybrid schedule.

Dimon concluded that while remote work can be effective in some cases, it is not suitable for JPMorgan’s core business model. “It’s about doing what’s best for the company,” he said.