JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has dismissed employee resistance to the bank’s strict five-day return-to-office policy – asserting once again that remote work has hurt efficiency and engagement.

Speaking at a lively town hall meeting this week, according to Reuters, Dimon brushed aside a petition from disgruntled staff and made it clear that in-office attendance is non-negotiable.

A blunt message: No time for debate

Employee frustration has been bubbling over since JPMorgan, the largest US bank, phased out hybrid work arrangements.

Discontented workers voiced concerns on internal forums, and some even sought guidance on unionisation from the Communications Workers of America. In response to a question about the backlash, Dimon was unequivocal:

Don’t waste time on it. I don’t care how many people sign that f***ing petition.”

His remark drew some laughter, but the underlying message was that JPMorgan employees must adapt or move on.

The efficiency mandate: Cutting through bureaucracy

Dimon, who has helmed the bank for 19 years, reinforced his stance by linking remote work to declining productivity. He criticised Zoom meetings for reducing focus and stifling creativity.

To drive home the point, he has tasked all departments with achieving a 10% increase in efficiency, mandating cuts in reports, meetings, documents, and training sessions.

Illustrating his frustration with red tape, he recounted a wealth management case that required approval from 14 committees: “I feel like firing 14 chairmen of committees. I can’t stand it anymore.”

Similarly, he derided lengthy performance reviews, revealing that he simply discards overly bureaucratic evaluations: “I get the thing, I throw it in the g*dd***ed garbage can.”

Also Read: A close look at Jamie Dimon's leadership principles

Wall Street’s hard line on remote work

Dimon’s rigid stance echoes sentiments from other Wall Street executives and US President Donald Trump, who has taken a hardline approach to federal employees working remotely.

Trump recently warned that government workers who fail to return to offices in February would face termination and suggested that some may need to prove they aren’t juggling multiple jobs.

“We think a very substantial number of people will not show up to work, and therefore our government will get smaller and more efficient,” Trump stated.

Hiring freeze amidst workplace overhaul?

Despite the return-to-office push, JPMorgan remains selective in hiring.

A company spokesperson confirmed that the bank has 14,000 open positions but is striving to keep overall headcount lean. It had just announced layoffs as part of “regular management of the business,” People Matters Global reported.

The decision reflects a wider trend in financial services, where firms are looking to streamline operations while retaining critical talent.

The health factor: A new argument against remote work

Adding another dimension to the RTO debate, recent research suggests that working from home could negatively impact physical health.

A study found that employees in traditional office settings gained an average of 28 minutes of moderate physical activity daily, whereas remote workers saw a 32-minute drop in similar activity levels.

While this argument may not have been at the forefront of Dimon’s reasoning, it could provide additional justification for his insistence on in-person work.

JPMorgan’s bottom line

Dimon’s firm stance on RTO reflects a change in views across Corporate America, where executives are pushing back against remote work in favour of a structured, office-based culture.

With record profits and a surging share price, JPMorgan has little incentive to bend to employee demands.

However, for employees hoping for flexibility, JPMorgan has become a ‘take it or leave it’ workplace. Dimon’s leadership style may be polarising for some, but his track record suggests he isn’t about to change course.