The CEO of an $8 billion logistics company that thrived during the pandemic is reviving the debate about remote work with a controversial take that has some calling him out online.
Ryan Petersen, the founder and CEO of Flexport, said on the Twenty Minute VC podcast this week that remote work is “white collar fraud,” partly because it can lead employees to become distracted at home, especially those who have children.
“I have a three-year-old and a five-year-old. The idea that I could do any work at my house is like a total fantasy,” he said. “Like, come on. You’re kidding.”
Petersen added these distractions may be even worse for people who have less space at home than he does.
“I have a bigger house than most employees do. Like, I actually do have a private office I can close the door on. It doesn’t matter. Like, there’s no work getting done at that house when the children are around,” he added.
