Aker-topp støtter DNBs hjemmekontor-nei: – Er ikke bra for noen

For last week, it was announced that DNB is ending permanent home office arrangements. Starting in October, employees at the large bank must agree with their supervisor to work from home. This decision has sparked strong reactions internally, with employees describing it as "corporate BSbullshit." Matts Johansen, the managing director of Aker Biomarine, part of Kjell Inge Røkke's company, believes DNB is making an important move and sets an example.

He argues that culture, collaboration, and belonging are built when people actually meet, not from every individual home office. Aker Biomarine has had employees return to the office full-time since last winter, and Johansen admits it was not easy as it broke with the precedent of not doing so. He believes it is positive that more large companies are following this trend.

Johansen emphasizes the importance of collaboration, culture, and new ideas for a company's success, stating that such things cannot be achieved when people work in isolation at home. He notes that new ideas, sharing information, building culture all come from casual interactions like lunch, coffee breaks, or small talks between meetings.

Aker Biomarine was around 60% in the office before, while now they are around 85%, which significantly impacts the office atmosphere. Johansen shares how the return to full-time office was met by employees, explaining that they explained their reasons well. However, they were concerned about potential negative reactions when discussing the move.

Now, he believes no one thinks about it anymore and it has become the usual way of doing things. Johansen believes that working together also makes people happier as they get to know each other better, which helps them interpret others in a positive light. He emphasizes that being part of a company provides a sense of identity, as employees spend so much time at work.

He clarifies that it's not just about efficiently performing tasks but also about being a part of something bigger. Johansen addresses concerns about working long hours and the balance between work and personal life, stating that hard work is necessary when required, and taking a break when needed is equally important. He mentions that employees have flexibility to take an extra Friday off during quieter periods while they are expected to work overtime during busy times.

However, he stresses that to achieve good results, people need to be together. He also highlights that having a good time at work involves being with others.