Almost a year after JPMorgan enforced a full return-to-office policy, an online employee petition challenging the mandate continues to circulate but has attracted relatively modest backing. With a global workforce exceeding three lakh, the campaign has gathered roughly 2,000 signatures since it first appeared.
The bank had confirmed in early 2025 that employees would be required to work from the office five days a week beginning March that year. The decision effectively brought an end to the hybrid model that had been widely adopted during the pandemic. Soon after the announcement, a group of employees created a petition requesting leadership to reconsider and restore flexible work options. The document raised concerns about workplace morale, organisational culture, and long-term employee satisfaction.
The return-to-office order also triggered unusual conversations within the company. Some staff reportedly explored the possibility of unionising and sought external guidance on how to proceed—an uncommon step in the largely non-unionised US banking industry. At the same time, hesitation around openly supporting the petition appeared to limit participation. Reports suggested that several employees feared professional repercussions if their names were publicly associated with the effort.
Internally, questions emerged about the practicality of strict in-person attendance for teams operating across countries and time zones. Critics argued that hybrid arrangements had proven effective and allowed employees to collaborate without being physically present every day.
Jamie Dimon, chief executive, responded firmly after the petition surfaced, signalling that the policy was unlikely to be reversed. He has consistently maintained that remote work can weaken productivity, management oversight, and innovation, though he acknowledged that a small share of roles at the bank remain fully remote.
As March 2026 nears, marking one year since the policy took effect, the petition is still active—but its limited traction highlights the challenges employees face in mobilising large-scale resistance within one of the world’s biggest financial institutions.
