I tweeted yesterday morning about being blessed to be able to work from home. Then, within minutes, I read that Marissa Mayer, through her HR Director, issued a memo revoking the work from home policy at Yahoo. Part of the policy goes on to state ...

"That is why it is critical that we are all present in our offices. Some of the best decisions and insights come from hallway and cafeteria discussions, meeting new people, and impromptu team meetings."

I cannot, in good faith, believe this to be a wise decision. First off, isn't Yahoo a tech company? It would make sense that they would employ a good bit of remote employees. Or, maybe I am mistaken. Also, I can't speak for other work places - but I actually work harder when I am at home. Why? Simply because I don't have the distractions at work - people coming into the office, impromptu water cooler conversations, etc. And, in keeping honest, I never had a need to work from home before my son was born. But, it is literally the benefit that keeps on giving. When schools/daycares are closed on holidays/inclement weather or my son is sick, it has meant everything to me to not have to sacrifice a day of work. I am able to stay at home and take care of business at the same time. I join conference calls, review documents, respond to numerous emails. This notion that most people who work from home are sitting around watching tv, sleeping, playing online games, etc. is just not true. I will admit that there are employees who do abuse that privilege, but they normally are unproductive in the office as well. There is a trend. 

Perhaps Ms. Mayer and the rest of Yahoo can afford to hire nannies or there is a stay at home parent to handle all of the "what-ifs." And if so, kudos to them. The vast majority of working parents can't afford that "luxury" which is why we are, indeed, working parents. She just struck gold with the Old Boys Club - as I saw tweets from Donald Trump and a few others praising her decision. 

xoxo,

Rabiah