Elon Musk questions whether remote work is ‘morally correct’, but here’s why that logic is flawed.

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Elon Musk, the enigmatic billionaire and CEO of Tesla, recently fired remote work as “morally wrong” in a CNBC interviewcomparing it to a privileged indulgence of the “laptop class.”

According to Musk, “Are you going to work from home and are you going to have everyone else who made your car come to work at the factory? Don’t you work from home?” Musk asked. “Does that seem morally right? People should get off their moral fucking horse with the work-from-home bullshit,” he said. “They are asking everyone else not to work from home while they do it.”

It’s as if Musk’s views I work in person like some kind of hazing ritual – he and others did it, so you have to do it too. Well, as my mom used to say when I propose to do something dumb because others do it: “If all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you do it?”

Picture this: Musk standing on the precipice of the Golden Gate Bridge, urging us all to jump into the icy waters below simply because he took the plunge. While some may admire his bravery, it’s not a practical or sustainable model for the future of work. Here’s a thought: Rather than Musk’s reckless plunge into the deep abyss of forced office labor, perhaps we should consider a more measured, flexible, and hybrid approach to work, one that incorporates remote and in-person options, as you I say to me clientele.

Related: Employers: Hybrid work isn’t the problem, your guidelines are. Here’s why and how to fix them.

The one-size-fits-all fallacy

Musk’s argument is based on the concept of fairness. He argues that if factory and service industry workers can’t work from home, why should tech workers enjoy that privilege? It’s like she’s aboard the Titanic that she just hit an iceberg, blocking everyone’s access to the lifeboats and saying, “well, not everyone can have one, so no one should.”

The problem with this equity philosophy, however, is that it assumes a one-size-fits-all approach to working. It’s like insisting that everyone wear shoe size 10 because it’s the most common shoe size. But we all know the discomfort of ill-fitting shoes. A size 10 will not fit a person who is a size 6 foot or one who is a size 12 foot. Similarly, not all work can, or should, be done in the same way.

Work is not a monolith; it is a mosaic of various tasks, responsibilities and roles. It’s a kaleidoscope of different industries, each with their unique needs and nuances. The role of a factory worker inherently requires physical presence, while that of a software developer does not. Grouping them together and imposing a uniform work model is like having a flamenco dancer and a sumo wrestler perform the same routine. It’s not just unfair; it’s impractical

The wrong morality of face-to-face work

musk labels remote work as “morally wrong,” a sentiment that is about as perplexing as a zebra questioning the ethics of its stripes. Let’s remember: work is a contract, an exchange of time and skills for payment. It is not a moral battlefield.

We do not ask the baker to extract his wheat, nor do we require the mechanic to forge his tools. Because? Because it is inefficient and impractical. So why insist that a digital marketer or software engineer be tied to a physical location? Isn’t it time we focused on the result and not the location?

Musk’s argument also fails to consider the environmental and social benefits of remote work. Fewer commute hours means less traffic, less pollution, and more time for workers to spend with their families. It’s like trading in a gas-guzzling monster truck for a sleek, eco-friendly electric vehicle. Now, isn’t that a change Musk should appreciate?

The irony of Musk’s mantra

Musk, the champion of innovation, is strangely traditional when it comes to work. He celebrates workers at his Shanghai factory for “burning the 3:00 am oil” and criticizes American workers for seeking flexible work options. This is similar to applauding a marathon runner for wearing leather boots instead of sneakers.

While there is something to be said for dedication and hard work, we must remember that burning midnight oil is not a sustainable way or healthy work model. It’s like running a car engine endlessly: eventually, it will overheat and break down, and hopefully Musk will know something about it. Instead, we must value work-life balancethe mental health and general well-being of employees.

Musk’s work ethic is undoubtedly exceptional. He boasts that he only takes two or three days off a year. But let’s not forget that we are not all Musk. For most people, that work schedule is similar to that of a chef cooking only with a blowtorch: not only dangerous, but insane. Work is not measured by the mere number of hours at the desk, but by the efficiency and effectiveness of those hours. After all, a hamster can run on a wheel all day and still get nowhere.

Related: You should let your team decide your approach to hybrid work. A behavioral economist explains why and how you should do it.

The inclusion of remote work

Remote work isn’t just about convenience or flexibility; it is also about inclusion. Open the doors to the people who were previously excluded from traditional labor markets, such as people with disabilities, caregivers and those living in remote areas. It’s like throwing a party and instead of insisting that everyone come to your house, you bring the party to them.

It also allows companies to tap into global talent, without geographic restrictions. It’s like having a key that unlocks all the doors in the world, a key that allows organizations to tap into a rich and diverse set of skills and perspectives. This diversity leads to innovation, resilience and competitive advantage, like a well-tuned orchestra playing a captivating symphony.

Embracing a hybrid future

Instead of treating face-to-face work as a mandatory ritual, we should see it as an option on a spectrum of ways of working. hybrid work – a combination of remote and in-person work – is like the Swiss Army knife of work models. It is adaptable and versatile, fitting into the nooks and crannies of our varied lives.

Hybrid work recognizes that not all tasks are created equal. Some tasks require collaboration and benefit from the spontaneous interactions of an office environment, such as musicians playing together to create a new tune. Other tasks, however, require deep concentration, the kind of focus often easier to find in the quiet solitude of home.

As we stand on the precipice of the future of work, we shouldn’t be pushed into a hasty leap into the past by the likes of Musk. Instead, let’s carefully chart our course, focusing on what works best for individuals and organizations alike. After all, if everyone jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge, would you? Or perhaps you would choose a safer and more sensible path that leads you to a future where work is not a place you go, but something you do, wherever you are?