Tulsa Remote, the largest remote worker attraction program in the U.S., acknowledges the validity of criticisms leveled against remote work, despite its own success in the field. Ben Stewart, the leader of Tulsa Remote, agrees with concerns regarding performance and career development, particularly for younger workers, but disagrees with proposed solutions such as return-to-office mandates.
Stewart argues that the primary issue is the lack of adequate resources and organizational investment to support remote employees and managers. He suggests that the rapid adoption of remote work, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, outpaced the development of necessary infrastructure and support systems.
Tulsa Remote was launched in 2018 as an experimental program to attract remote workers to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and diversify its economy. The city, historically reliant on the oil and gas industry, had been experiencing population decline and a loss of college graduates. The program aimed to reverse these trends by offering incentives to remote workers to relocate to Tulsa.
The New York Times recently reported on a study indicating that younger workers working from home experienced career setbacks, including fewer training opportunities and reduced chances for advancement. Scott Galloway, a professor and author, has also voiced concerns about the negative impact of remote work on young professionals.
Stewart believes that simply mandating a return to the office does not address the underlying problems. Instead, he advocates for investing in tools, training, and strategies that enable effective remote work. This includes providing employees with the resources they need to succeed in a remote environment, as well as training managers to effectively lead remote teams.
The success of Tulsa Remote demonstrates that remote work can be a viable strategy for economic development and talent attraction, but it requires a proactive and strategic approach. The program's continued operation and evolution will likely serve as a case study for other cities and organizations considering remote work initiatives.
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