JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon dismisses employees’ WFH pleas, lists these 3 professional learnings missing from remote work

“Mentorship, sales training, and error management are parts of the professional learning process that are missing from remote work,” Dimon said, according to The Economic Times. He further emphasised that office culture is essential for personal development and long-term organisational success.

Dimon’s stance followed the signing of a petition by more than 2,000 JPMorgan employees earlier this year, urging the bank to consider hybrid work options. The petition highlighted challenges such as long commutes, childcare responsibilities, and inadequate internet access.

“Don’t waste time on it. I don’t care how many people sign that f* petition,**” he reportedly told employees during a town hall meeting, according to Reuters. He added, “It’s a free country. Don’t be mad at me.”

Although Dimon later apologised for his language, he reiterated that employees unwilling to work in the office should look for other opportunities. “The office environment is vital for culture and productivity,” he said.

JPMorgan’s renewed in-office mandate comes as the bank reported record-breaking profits in January. Despite the strong performance, the firm laid off around 1,000 employees and indicated that more job cuts could follow through mid-year. By the end of 2024, JPMorgan’s workforce totalled 317,233 employees, reports said.

Dimon has also directed teams to improve efficiency by 10 per cent, trimming back on reports, meetings, and training sessions, which is a part of his broader effort to streamline operations and enforce what he calls greater “operational discipline”.