Billionaire Orlando law firm founder John Morgan is drawing backlash after boasting about a work-from-home policy so invasive it reportedly drove employees to quit.
His comments have started a debate over how far employers should go in monitoring remote workers and what that means for people who need flexibility while still expecting basic privacy on the job.
Here's what to know
According to Orlando Weekly, the Morgan & Morgan founder discussed the firm's remote-work policy during an appearance on the "Iced Coffee Hour" podcast.
Describing how the arrangement was introduced at his company, America's largest injury law firm, Morgan said, "Here's what we're going to do. You can work from home, but guess what? We're going to put a camera on your computer. We're going to put a camera up your ass."
He said 23 employees left within the first week. Morgan maintained the departures weren't really about remote work.
"We won't look at you," he said. "You'll be a pixel. … It's not that they don't want to work from home. They don't want to work."
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Orlando Weekly also reported that People magazine pointed to a July 22 appearance on the "Success Story" podcast, where Morgan gave a different figure, saying 13 employees quit rather than 23.
Remote work remains widespread. Orlando Weekly, citing Bureau of Labor Statistics data, reported that nearly a quarter of the U.S. workforce was teleworking or working from home in March.
More background
For many workers, the COVID-19 pandemic made remote work a necessity, with little alternative beyond working from home or losing income. Companies have kept debating productivity, accountability, and how much digital monitoring is too much ever since.
Those remarks also seem at odds with Morgan's image as a backer of some worker-friendly causes. Orlando Weekly reported that he helped fund successful Florida ballot initiatives for a $15 minimum wage and medical marijuana legalization.
He has also spoken openly about the lower-cost labor his firm relies on from countries such as El Salvador and Belize for his firm's call centers.
The report cited labor force data showing that about 20% of Americans aged 65 and older are still working, up from 10% in 1985.
What can be done?
Even Morgan suggested a different approach is possible.
On the "Success Story" podcast, he said, "Look, there are people that I have no problem working from home because there are certain people that, you know, they're going to work from home."
Where can I learn more?
These articles are not about remote surveillance, but they touch on the same kind of backlash that follows when companies are seen crossing ethical lines:
• In California, PG&E faced outrage after an overlooked environmental disaster left Butte Creek salmon suffering.
• Major banks used a deceptive method to inflate fossil-fuel financing and deepen greenwashing concerns.
• Inditex, Zara's parent company, drew backlash after a concerning operational change increased pollution.
• In the U.S. and EU, officials weighed steps they may take soon to curb greenwashing.
You can also check out the TCD Guide's page on spotting greenwashing for more tips and discussion from other readers.
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