Shattering the Shackles of Convention: The Unspoken Subtext of Workplace Location in Job Ads

The location box on a job ad usually offers little room for debate. You’re either in the office, partially remote, or fully remote. Yet this small piece of digital real estate does something extraordinary: it unveils your ethos as an employer. When that box reads “work where you believe it’s best for you and the company both,” you’re sending a message of empathy, autonomy, and consideration. Anything else may unwittingly signal an underlying tone of compulsion, violence, and indifference to employee needs.

The Unsaid Speaks Volumes

The expectation for employees to work at a specific location isn’t just about logistics; it’s about control. Tethering staff to a geographical point suggests a distrust in their capacity to be productive unless observed. It’s not just about ensuring that Sarah from accounts is at her desk by 9 am; it’s an implied statement that employees are less reliable, less effective, and less trustworthy when left to their own devices.

The Veil of Compulsion

When job descriptions indicate a set location without flexibility, there’s an invisible yet entirely obvious layer of compulsion. It’s a mandate rather than an invitation. This constraint disregards the complex tapestry of individual needs, be it family care, mental health, or even the straightforward desire for a better work-life balance. And it also disregards smart people’s desire to work where they can contribute most. You do want to hire smart people, I take it?

A Touch of Violence

Using the word “violence” here may seem dramatic, but what else would you call a system that effectively corners employees into making potentially detrimental choices? There’s a subtle, systemic violence in forcing people into long commutes, into offices that may exacerbate their anxiety or other health conditions, into workplaces that block their productivity, and away from their support systems.

The Apathy Card

Indifference is the silent partner to compulsion and violence in this dynamic. An employer who’s unwilling to consider autonomy in work arrangements is effectively saying, “Your needs don’t matter.” The message is clear: the company’s priorities dwarf those of the individual, a stance that rarely fosters a culture of mutual respect and engagement.

The Elixir: Empathy and Autonomy

When an employer adopts a “work where you believe it’s best for you and the company both” policy, it’s like fresh air flowing through a musty room. It signifies empathy for employees’ diverse situations and an understanding that intelligent, responsible adults can make choices that benefit both themselves and their organisation. Moreover, it boosts morale; when people feel seen and valued, they’re more likely to be engaged, loyal, and productive.

The Bottom Line

The debate around work location isn’t new, but it’s more pertinent than ever in a world that’s rethinking how work should be done. While autonomy in work location won’t suit every company or role, being transparent and considerate about this factor can be a game-changer. When it comes to job ads, sometimes the loudest statements are made in the quietest corners: a few words that demonstrate whether you’re an employer who elevates—or an employer who suppresses. Choose wisely.