We, Teleperformance employees, agents of various projects, would like to unequivocally stand together in response to a chain of events that has been set in motion in the past few days, and take the opportunity to communicate a growing concern among our colleagues. Indeed, we, agents, were contacted about an imminent return to the office, announced for in two weeks, or, in any case, “at the end of the month”. Besides, this decision was given as "binding" to some and as "not yet official" for others. As a result, this uncertainty leaves all the agents fairly unsettled, creating doubt and confusion among our ranks and leading us to unite in order to bring to your attention our stand on this matter of outmost importance to all of our individual lives.

Reacting to this sudden turn of event, we wish to speak with a single voice and push definitely back this decision that would require us to return to the office, using our right to do so for that matter.

First of all, it seems obvious that after 2 years and 8 months of work on this project from home, our lives, including for each of us other obligations (family, studies...), entails an organization that such a change would excessively upset. Most of us were reinsured that the job will remain remote during their hiring interviews with HR, is sort that we have chosen TP because of the homeworking option, and even for some because their health condition does not allow them to commute to the site, hence our concern that grows deeper.

Added to this, the impact of such a decision, while winter is coming, raises our fear of a new wave of COVID that we can only really protect ourselves against by keeping safety measures we can control at home. Many of agents are not vaccinated and we are all concerned about the spread of illness that a concentration of people in a closed space would cause. That could put not only agents at risk, but also their loved ones. The self-tests are not a solution, not only because, as we know, the virus is evolving enough to make them inefficient, but in addition because it would represent considerable additional expenses. This decision may well put our health at risk, and a decisive action is clearly expected.

We would also like to emphasize the fact that commuting to or from the office is costly and time-consuming. Indeed, some of us live several hours away from the site and the actual time off from work would be considerably reduced. This commuting would have a direct impact on the fatigue and mental dispositions of every agent, which inevitably has a repercussion on the general productivity at work. This is neither in our interest nor in the company's. Even more problematic, we all take turns working on a shift ending at 3 a.m., whereas no public transportation is available. Not to mention that the streets can be dangerous in the middle of the night, the cost of a taxi to go home at this unduly hour is expensive. Over five working days, the total cost is roughly one fifth of our net salary, which is approximately what remains available every month after we pay our food, our bills and our rent. You will agree that remuneration becomes a mere promise when actual profits must be used to commute to work. The working conditions imposed are disturbing, and contradictory to any sound measures.

Secondly, we would like to express the satisfaction we derive from the homeworking solution. We are mainly satisfied with our current employment with Teleperformance, happy with the good working atmosphere, and with our team above all, which shows in its uniqueness a desire to support and help each other every day.

Actually, by working from home, agents can choose to work even if they are sick, something impossible if they had to go to the site. Likewise, when one of us is missing, it is very easy to make up for this absence and replace it, our work equipment being always at hand. The current good functioning of the team proves one major thing: the nature of our work does not require an on-site presence. We all agree that if our agents can work with as much peace of mind and good will as possible in a quiet and controlled environment, that remote work makes possible to maintain a balance between working hours and personal time, hence generating a general well-being and an undeniable benefit for productivity and the quality of our work.

In conclusion, we wish to continue to be able to work serenely under the conditions which have been ours so far, following the compromise which we have all signed up for and which we would not like to be forced to resign, as it consisted in getting some flexibility in exchange of our commitment. We ask for your support in enabling those who want to work remotely to continue to do so. We have great respect for the company and its leadership; we strongly believe in the Innovation and Thinking Differently (from “the way things have always been done” and “industry standards”). We all wish to continue to be part of the company and we believe that ensuring that we are all heard, represented, and validated will sustain and protect that precious sentiment we’ve been faithful to so far.