It has been about a week since a bombshell internal memo from CEO Marissa Mayer was leaked to the world: Yahoo employees will no longer be allowed to telecommute, effective this June. The goal of the new policy is to foster creativity and better productivity, Mayer said. If she hoped for a 24-hour news cycle on the subject, she’s been disappointed. Her decision is still being hotly debated in the media and blogosphere — and no doubt in many corporate corridors and human resource offices as well.
It isn't at all clear that a male doing the same thing would get a pass. In all likelihood a male would get tons more flak and get pounded in the press and elsewhere. The Yahoo board could well have reasoned that Mayer would get a pass because of her feminist credentials.
Moreover, Yahoo is a business, and CEO's are rewarded for attaining business metrics. If a CEO is perceived as putting political correctness and/or feminist goals ahead of business goals then she won't be effective for very long. A dedicated lefty might argue that you can do both at the same time, but in the real world events have a way of bringing priorities into conflict. Choice is a necessity.
That being said, I don't have a strong opinion on Ms. Mayer or her decision. I'm rooting for Yahoo based on fond memories and long time use. As the author concluded, the proof of the pudding is in the tasting, so we will all have to wait and see.
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Marissa Mayer Takes Flak for Gathering Her Troops
Posted by: Erika Morphy March 2, 2013 05:00 AMIt has been about a week since a bombshell internal memo from CEO Marissa Mayer was leaked to the world: Yahoo employees will no longer be allowed to telecommute, effective this June. The goal of the new policy is to foster creativity and better productivity, Mayer said. If she hoped for a 24-hour news cycle on the subject, she’s been disappointed. Her decision is still being hotly debated in the media and blogosphere — and no doubt in many corporate corridors and human resource offices as well.
Moreover, Yahoo is a business, and CEO's are rewarded for attaining business metrics. If a CEO is perceived as putting political correctness and/or feminist goals ahead of business goals then she won't be effective for very long. A dedicated lefty might argue that you can do both at the same time, but in the real world events have a way of bringing priorities into conflict. Choice is a necessity.
That being said, I don't have a strong opinion on Ms. Mayer or her decision. I'm rooting for Yahoo based on fond memories and long time use. As the author concluded, the proof of the pudding is in the tasting, so we will all have to wait and see.