Below are all the posts — topics as well as replies — that mention the hashtag #officeculture.
Mention #officeculture in your post to continue the discussion!
Starting 9/26 employees are told to be in office 5 days per week. No doubt BNY will follow the same mandate as they they are always in lockstep with the other financial companies.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/04/29/business/fidelity-return-to-office-five-days-boston/#:~:text=Fidelity%2C%20which%20employs%20more%20than,immediately%20after%20the%20Great%20Recession.
Buckle up!
I think it’s time we revisit who owns reserved parking spaces - too many open and not enough general spots
We’re almost at a year of return to office and I still don’t have a desk. Anyone else?
It seems most building offices are constrained for space and with the recent return to office, it has made hiring in locations almost impossible. Are they going to open up new buildings are get leases for locations constrained?
Which office is the worst?
Heard rumors that HR is attempting to come up with a system to ensure everyone is spending 8 hours in the office.
Anyone else can confirm this?
Until now it seems they screen for badging in the office. This of course completely leaves out all the evening / weekend calls and booting up vpn on the laptop to resolve issues (sometimes for several hours), not to mention when you need to be in the house for the occasional service but can definitely work from home very efficiently.
Why even ask this question and upvote it, what did you think they’d say, 4 hours? The real question was are they tracking hours in order for it to count as an office day.
Hour long meeting full of insults. The idea that working in office will foster conversation and innovation is, as someone else has said, a fat load of kwap. There are SO many reasons for why this isn't going to go well on the 4th, but I don't want to beat a dead horse.
I'm just tired, man.
I'm really not trying to rant here, I'm actually asking. Does anyone feel productive when they come in? My office days are pure chaos. People talking about sports, playing on their phone, solving puzzles together. Random coworkers keep stopping by my desk to chat. I spend half my energy just trying to tune it all out so I can do my job. At home I get ten times the work done. How is any of this helping us collaborate?
So let me get this straight…
Leadership just rolled out a “neighborhood seating” plan to reduce coordination costs by literally assigning people to sit closer to executives. Because apparently the problem all along was… proximity?
What did we do before COVID? Walked over. Talked to people. Solved problems. No color-coded maps required.
Now we’ve got:
And the justification? “Coordination costs drop when people are physically near each other.”
Translation: “We want you where we can see you.”
Let’s be real this isn’t about collaboration. It’s about control.
Also… using literal colored lines (including red) to divide where people belong? In a corporate environment? In 2026? You really didn’t think that one through.
Meanwhile, instead of investing in actual tools, processes, or fixing broken workflows… we’re rearranging chairs and calling it strategy.
If this is what “driving value through proximity” looks like, we’ve officially lost the plot.
Girl in 3WF has been openly playing Solitaire ALL morning.
The most IDGAF move I’ve ever seen.
Those of you who aren't in a production based role and aren't being tracked 24/7 do you keep yourself active on teams even when you have nothing to do?
I know that would personally make me feel much better about my Phase 2 colleagues being excused from RTO, while the rest of us are required to be in the office doing the same exact job. Maybe some motivational posters? The kitten dangling from a tree branch that says “hang in there”?
I was in the office and there was a lady repeatedly peeking into all the focus/conferences rooms on my floor. Not sure if she was just a busy body or it was her job. I hope people continue to use those rooms so at least there’s less people in open areas. There’s little to no separation between the cube spaces and it gets loud. Funny how it’s acknowledged that those rooms help people to focus yet there is a horrible open space design everywhere with no effort to make it a better experience.
Just saying.
The whole thing makes no sense.
Why come in at all.
Today is the day that many folks in SP1 are moving offices. What is the intent of the office building reshuffles? Will space be sublet out or is this just to free up space for future growth?
AC not working in Burlington everyone is complaining, its so miserable. We're all jammed into these smaller rooms I'm sure all the body heat is not helping. How about let us leave an hr early instead of having this 1 hr social hr!!! The A side is working of course because no one is working over there.
Do IP logs only count during certain hours?
They give half-baked answers, I don't feel like asking any. F the policy.
PORTLAND GUY DAY:
Show up between 930 and 10 as a group. Almost everyone wearing sunglasses in the office like complete tools.
Immediately take a coffee break in the Cafe with the entire group until 1015-1030.
Take an hour lunch 12-1.
Leave between 2-3 PM.
I’m told I can’t have my phone out at my desk even if it’s just to pull it out and turn on music while I work.
Meanwhile, the people who sit in the next row over talk all day and it’s so distracting. I have no idea how to get anything done. And I have people from other areas walking over to them all day long as well and all these people talk about are their lunch plans and then complain about their peers at other sites.
I need to put my AirPods in and listen to something that helps me stay focused- the way I see it. I’ll get fired either way… either from pulling my phone out to turn on Spotify or because my work is not as productive as it used to be because of these geniuses that sit around me who have zero respect for others.
So I’m guessing the bank went back to assigned seating? I’ve been out on sabbatical and just returned to our new space, but all of the seats appear to be assigned and I have no idea where I should randomly sit.
It doesn’t feel good to start my day like this every morning, trying to search for a place to sit that isn’t near the break room. But I’m told all the other spaces are neighborhoods. I can’t continue to take calls from a desk next to the break room so people keep asking me to go on mute because I hear all the noise, but then I have to forget to go off mute to start talking and lose my opportunities to speak up. This is ridiculous.
Those teams sitting in a neighborhood who are not on the phone all day. Need to have their dedicated seating over here. I don’t know how they got away with giving them the prime seats.. but I can’t continue working like this and I will be figuring out a way to work from home if this continues.
Get your popcorn ready!
Remember when that was a thing? Now they scheduled a mandatory meeting for Friday at 4 PM. Then they cancelled it at 3:55. Then they rescheduled it for Monday at 8 AM. That's the new culture.
My hub doesn’t have coffee pods or tea bags, nothing. Bring your own coffee, tea bags,and bottled water.
‘So cheap
Is this just my hub or bank policy to not even offer free coffee pods and tea bag…not even water other than from the sink
I see people coming into the office before lunch and leave office before 3 pm. Sometimes it makes me wonder if they are really "working." I also see people in their office glue to their work computer for HOURS with the lights OFF = ALL of them were SAFE on this round. Maybe we should follow their pattern to survive
The word FULL STOP! You can not make your point any other way FULL STOP. Blah blah FULL STOP. Do you use an ! after that too? FULL STOP
Vteamers enterprise wide are busy watching the masters golf tournament today. They didn’t cut deep enough in the rifs.
I’ve been trying to get healthier this year by eating more fresh fruits and veg, fewer processed foods, and being consistently active throughout the day. I find that my legs feel better when they’re moving throughout the workday. Does the CLT office have any treadmill desks or walking pads available? My last employer had walking desks that you could book, and I have a walking pad at home. Great for those Zoom meetings where you need to focus but don’t need to talk. Get 2k steps in off camera. TIAA has always been about promoting healthy lifestyles for their employees! Hope there are walking desks I don’t know about for the 3-4 days I’m here for 9 hours at a time.
At this point I would just rather they say in office 5 days, remove all “tracking” and leave us alone! (That will never happen I know). But pre-COVID when all we knew was in office, and flex to be at home as needed or we worked 4 hours office and the rest at home but because they gave us the autonomy, we often gave more than they asked. I want those days back.
I just looked up my information in teams. My business address is now listed as “Bassett”. There is no town near me with this name or that has a UHC building. Does anyone know what this means? I am a remote worker currently. Thanks in advance.
I'm aware that People leaders and above have access to badge-in data. One of the STS leaders has been strongly recommending that employees be in the office from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Is this a standard expectation across firm?
Come on guys, what a joke.
Plano office is basically a ghost town of productivity. Hardly anyone actually working.
My entire team? Mostly H4EAD housewives from Telangana who’ve been here 10+ years and still have zero clue how the software actually works. Their real expertise? flawless coffee badging 3 days a week. Ethics? Work ethic? Initiative? Bro, those words left the building decades ago.
Everyone’s just coasting, collecting paychecks, and pretending this circus is sustainable. In the AI era… how long is this absolute clown show supposed to keep running? Seriously, someone tell me. I’m dying to know.
I hesitate to complain about WFH when other offices don’t have it. But when are we “rotating” the WFH days in BH?
So why is it that some people feel this does not apply to them. Don't get me wrong. I was wfh the majority of the last 2 years, but I enjoy seeing my coworkers in person. There are entire offices and teams that dont come in even though this was a mandate from Global. Cameron and others, get your cr-p together. If you are going to enforce it than it should apply to everyone within a proximity of an office. While I enjoy being in the office, I am tired of being asked by others "why am I in the office, you are making us look bad" . Its not my fault your boss thinks shes special and these rules dont apply. I am just trying to do my job and keep it.
Why does leadership expect us to be in the office if there’s never enough seating?
Why do people reserve seats everyday and never show up?
Why are we even allowed to reserve seats in the first place for weeks out??
Regarding the Humana RTO policy, what is the... Live within 50 mile radius of Talent Hub requirement?
-
The Humana Return to Office (RTO) policy, which has evolved significantly through 2025 and into 2026, utilizes a 50-mile radius as the standard threshold for determining whether an associate is required to work in person at a "Talent Hub" or corporate office.
How the 50-Mile Requirement Works
The core of the requirement is based on your primary residence in relation to a designated Humana office or hub.
Proximity Rule
If you live within a 50-mile radius of a Humana Talent Hub or corporate office, you are typically classified as a hybrid or office-based employee. This means you are expected to report to that physical location for a set number of days per week (or month), depending on your specific department's guidance.
Talent Hub Locations
Humana has identified specific cities as Talent Hubs to centralize collaboration.
Key hubs include:
Atlanta, GA
Louisville, KY (Corporate HQ)
Washington, D.C.
Additional Hubs: Austin, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, and New York City.
Remote Eligibility
Generally, associates living outside the 50-mile radius of these locations are eligible to remain in a fully remote status. However, even remote associates may be required to travel to a hub for quarterly meetings or specific team "co-location" events.
Impact on Associates
The enforcement of this radius is part of Humana's broader strategy to consolidate its real estate footprint while increasing in-person collaboration.
Commuting Responsibility
If you are within the 50-mile zone, the commute is considered "normal home-to-work travel," meaning travel costs are generally not reimbursed by the company.
Exceptions
Exceptions are typically handled on a case-by-case basis and usually require high-level leadership approval. These are often reserved for specific roles that have been designated as "permanently remote" regardless of location, or for documented medical accommodations.
-
Humana’s "Talent Hub" strategy represents a shift from the traditional "sea of cubicles" to a "destination office" model. As of 2026, the company has significantly consolidated its real estate (notably exiting the iconic Michael Graves-designed Humana Tower in Louisville) to focus on smaller, high-tech, high-amenity spaces.
The "Neighborhood" Approach
Humana has moved away from assigned seating in favor of Activity-Based Working (ABW). The layout of a typical Hub is divided into "Neighborhoods" tailored to specific needs:
Collaborative "We" Spaces
These make up the heart of the Hub. They include "Project Zones" with mobile furniture that teams can reconfigure on the fly, and "Huddle Rooms" equipped with 360-degree cameras and digital whiteboards for seamless hybrid meetings.
Quiet "Me" Spaces
For focused tasks, Hubs feature "Quiet Cars" (inspired by Amtrak). These areas have higher acoustic panels, carrels, and a strict "no-talking" rule to mimic the productivity of a home office.
Residential Aesthetic
The design uses a "hospitality-first" palette—natural wood, soft lighting, and ergonomic furniture that feels more like a living room or a boutique hotel than a sterile clinic.
The "Connected Café"
A central social anchor in each Hub, serving as a semi-public space for informal networking, coffee breaks, and "touchdown" work between meetings.
The usability of these spaces is governed by what Humana calls a "Phygital" experience—merging physical space with digital tools:
Intelligent Booking
Employees use an app to reserve desks or lockers. Over time, AI learns your preferences (e.g., "Mark prefers a standing desk near a window") and suggests spots when you book.
Smart Building Integration
In 2026, many Hubs utilize AI-powered lighting and HVAC systems that adjust in real-time based on occupancy and natural light levels to improve comfort and reduce energy waste.
Concierge Service
Moving away from traditional security-desk entrances, Hubs now feature a "Community Host" or concierge to help associates navigate the tech, find their teams, or troubleshoot equipment.
Humana’s occupancy strategy is built on the reality that the office is no longer the "default" location for daily tasks.
Daily Occupancy Rates
As of 2025–2026, daily building utilization typically hovers around 25% to 30% of the total local workforce. The offices are designed for "peak" days (usually Tuesdays through Thursdays) rather than 100% capacity.
Intentional Presence
The goal isn't "headcount" but "interaction." Humana measures success by "Experience-Based Metrics"—tracking how often collaboration zones are used and whether employees feel a sense of belonging, rather than just badge-swipe data.
Louisville Consolidation
The most dramatic shift in occupancy occurred in Louisville, where Humana moved its remaining in-office staff into the Waterside and Clocktower buildings, opting to renovate these spaces for $20 million rather than maintain the oversized and aging 27-story Tower.
Living just outside that 50-mile radius—these Hubs are designed to be the place you go for high-value team events rather than a place you'd expect to sit and answer emails all day.
-
While Humana does not publicly disclose a single "total" price tag for the entire Talent Hub initiative, we can estimate the investment based on their 2024–2026 real estate filings and renovation permits.
Humana is currently executing a multi-year "Value Creation" strategy aimed at saving approximately $1 billion in annual administrative costs, part of which involves moving out of high-cost legacy real estate and into modernized, efficient Hubs.
The average investment to transform a standard office into a "Talent Hub" involves high-end technology integration and "hospitality-style" interior design.
Flagship Renovation (Louisville)
Humana recently filed permits for a $20.1 million renovation of the 10th through 12th floors of the Waterside Building (roughly 150,000 square feet). This averages out to approximately $134 per square foot for the interior fit-out alone.
Satellite Hub Estimates
For smaller Talent Hubs, like the Atlanta hub, typical Class A office "spec-to-hub" conversions in the current market range from $100 to $150 per square foot.
Total Portfolio Spend
Given the consolidation of dozens of offices into approximately 10–12 major Hubs, the total capital expenditure (CapEx) for the physical transformation of these spaces is estimated between $150 million and $250 million nationwide.
A significant portion of the expenditure is "invisible"—invested in the digital layer that makes the Hubs usable:
Hybrid Meeting Tech
Equipping "Huddle Rooms" with 360-degree cameras (like Logitech Sight or Owl systems) and integrated scheduling panels costs roughly $15,000 to $25,000 per room.
AI & Proprietary Apps
Developing and maintaining the custom desk-booking and "Experience" apps used by employees represents a multi-million dollar ongoing operational expenditure (OpEx).
It is important to view these expenditures as part of a cost-reduction play.
The Humana Tower Exit
By exiting its 27-story namesake tower in Louisville, Humana avoided massive maintenance and utility costs. That building is currently being redeveloped by third-party developers into a hotel in a project valued at $600–$700 million—costs that Humana is no longer responsible for.
Occupancy Reduction: Because the Hubs are designed for roughly 30% daily occupancy, Humana has been able to reduce its total square footage by an estimated 40% to 50% since 2023, leading to massive savings on leases and property taxes.
The Bottom Line
Humana is spending hundreds of millions upfront to modernize these spaces, but they expect to recoup that investment within 3–5 years through reduced lease obligations and lower utility/maintenance costs across their smaller, smarter footprint.
-