It has officially been two years since the United States was forced to mostly shutter its economy due to the outbreak of COVID-19, which largely changed the boundaries of our lives.
Many went from living our lives primarily in a commute and in an office to being at home all the time. But now, as time has gone on and it's gotten safer to resume old practices, some employers are bringing their workers back to the office.
And one company in particular is making sure people come back with insult added to injury before they even start work.
A downtown Toronto office building has removed signage meant to welcome employees back to the office following significant backlash.\n\nOne sign read, "Seriously, we missed you." Another said, "Bet your dog's missing you."https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/toronto-office-removes-return-to-work-posters-following-backlash-1.5810343\u00a0\u2026— CTV Toronto (@CTV Toronto) 1646750582
https://twitter.com/CTVToronto/status/1501206865425874949\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/iSn9XCmX1p— Wesley Chee\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Wesley Chee\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1646750690
\u201cBet your dog\u2019s missing you\u201d \n\nWhat a fantastic way to say \u201cWelcome back to this building you\u2019ve proven you don\u2019t actually need to be in\u201dhttps://twitter.com/audrawilliams/status/1500669564711014401\u00a0\u2026— Kevin Lively (@Kevin Lively) 1646751676
In the lobby of an office building in Toronto. I guess to make sure employees are flooded with resentment the instant they walk in the door?pic.twitter.com/oWUDofGvzK— Audra Williams (@Audra Williams) 1646622479
People were absolutely perplexed by the choice of campaign.
"I know they’re trying to be funny. But yes, I miss my sweatpants and of course my dog misses me! How rude!" one Redditor wrote, in response to the photo being posted on r/Antiwork.
Others were more confused about how this was supposed to help people be excited to be back.
"I don't think that's funny. I think it's rubbing it in."
This is truly ghoulish - #CapitalismKillshttps://twitter.com/audrawilliams/status/1500669564711014401\u00a0\u2026— David U (@David U) 1646711537
\u201cwelcome to hell. you miss your home yet you big baby?? I hope your dog dies xoxo\u201d\n\n\u201cwhy are workers quitting?????\u201dhttps://twitter.com/audrawilliams/status/1500669564711014401\u00a0\u2026— sreekar (@sreekar) 1646677273
It is for this reason I will be WFH forever. Your office rent is not my problem, bro.https://twitter.com/audrawilliams/status/1500669564711014401\u00a0\u2026— It's Friday I'm The Batman (@It's Friday I'm The Batman) 1646675067
Who thought it was a good idea to remind people how sad they were making their dogs????https://twitter.com/audrawilliams/status/1500669564711014401\u00a0\u2026— Courtney Milan \ud83e\udd96 (@Courtney Milan \ud83e\udd96) 1646672191
The posters came from an office building in downtown Toronto: Waterpark Place, which is managed by Oxford Properties and contains several businesses within. The signs were at the behest of a campaign by the management company.
"Unfortunately, in an attempt to be lighthearted the signage came off as uncaring, which was never our intention. The signage clearly missed the mark and was removed last week as a result," Oxford Properties' said.
"The campaign should have not made it into production and we sincerely apologize to any customers, colleagues and members of the public that were offended."
Today in "how to make people hate you"...https://twitter.com/audrawilliams/status/1500669564711014401\u00a0\u2026— The_\ud83c\udd41\ud83c\udd31\ud83c\udd35 (@The_\ud83c\udd41\ud83c\udd31\ud83c\udd35) 1646671948
eat the rich pleasehttps://twitter.com/audrawilliams/status/1500669564711014401\u00a0\u2026— Protect Trans Youth (@Protect Trans Youth) 1646671265
"We actively hate you."\n\n"Wish you didn't have to work to survive, huh?"\n\n"How's your mental health? Nobody cares. Welcome back!"https://twitter.com/audrawilliams/status/1500669564711014401\u00a0\u2026— jane, certified non-conformist (by mom) (@jane, certified non-conformist (by mom)) 1646670822
Are they trying to make people turn around and walk back out?https://twitter.com/audrawilliams/status/1500669564711014401\u00a0\u2026— Laura M Williams, PhD \ud83c\udf3b (@Laura M Williams, PhD \ud83c\udf3b) 1646669845
The signs serve as a reminder that the "Great Resignation" rages on--as people across the globe quit their jobs in search of more livable working conditions.
And signs reminding people that their work/life balance is off? Well, that seems to be a way to make sure more people resign.
NBC News via Lisa Anderson
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