In the return to work battle a surprising new player has entered the arena: Martha Stewart.
The media mogul and 81-year-old Sports Illustrated star said she simply doesnt understand how hybrid workers can get all their tasks done by going into the office three days a week.
She fears that if remote or hybrid work continues then America will suffercriticizing European counterparts who have a more flexible work/life balance.
In an interview with Footwear News, the lifestyle expert said: You cant possibly get everything done working three days a week in the office and two days remotely.
Look at the success of France with their stupid you know, off for August, blah blah blah. Thats not a very thriving country, she said, continuing: Should America go down the drain because people dont want to go back to work?
The statement that the entire French nation takes a month off work in August is not entirely true, with many shops and attractions remaining open throughout summerparticularly in tourist destinations.
French people do tend to take some of their holiday in July or Augustemployees are entitled to 30 days of annual leave to use across the yearand even have names for those who take time in Julythe juilletistesor Augustthe aoûtiens.
Stewartformerly a stockbrokeradded she was on a rampage to get people across the U.S. back to the office.
Its not the first time Stewart has made her strong opinions on work known.
In 2021, she shared an anecdote with Harpers Bazaar about calling an employee on a Sunday who told her they couldnt talk because they were in the bath.
The founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia said the interaction made it clear she couldnt work with the individual, but said she would have made allowances if the employee had been unable to speak on a Sunday for religious reasons.
If you cant talk on a Sunday and you take umbrage that Im calling you on a Sundayyou know, if you are a terribly religious person, I take that into consideration, Stewartwho also spent five months in prison on multiple felony chargestold the magazine. But I knew this guy was not a terribly religious person. Its exciting! Business is exciting. I want people to feel that way about business.
A horrific calendar
Other CEOs mandating their workers return to the office have been criticized for not coming back themselvesbut Stewart wants to practice what she preaches.
I havent stopped at all. You should see my calendar. Its horrific, she said.
In the past year Stewart has launched a podcast, expanded her CBD business, struck a deal with Sketchers, launched a new immersive retail experience with Amazon and created three new TV shows with Roku.
She worked five days a week in lockdown, even filming a TV show from her home in Bedford, N.Y. the self-proclaimed self-made billionaire revealed.
I was brought up to do what I want to do when I want to do it as well as I can do it, Stewart added. Something I always say is to be curious and keep learning something new every day.
She added that now is the time for women to step it up, explaining: Women are afraid. They lived through the pandemic. Theyve lived through the #MeToo movement, which made a lot of them uncomfortable. But it also empowered women to speak out.
Stewart, who counts rapper Snoop Dogg among her friends and colleagues, has also been open about the fact that a work/life balance has eluded her.
Balancing a successful career and home life is one of the most difficult things to do Steward told CNN in 2018.
That balance which is so illusive to most of us didnt work for me. I thought Oh I can do it and I can do all of thatI had to sacrifice a marriage because of the lure of the great job. But I dont regret it at all because what Ive done is something bigger and better than just one marriage probably.
Its impossible for most of us to get that balance, she said.
