JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon says remote work breeds 'rope-a-dope politics' and stunts young workers' growth

Jamie Dimon, who has been at the helm of JPMorgan, America’s largest bank, for two decades and has steered it through various economic challenges, has voiced strong criticism of remote work, asserting that it may hinder the professional growth of younger employees. He emphasized the importance of in-person work for career advancement during his remarks at the Hill and Valley Forum, which convened leaders from both government and industry in Silicon Valley.

In his session titled "Wealth, Power, and the Next American Century," Dimon remarked that remote work can be effective for certain roles, such as those in call centers. However, he asserted that for the majority of positions, particularly those occupied by young professionals and managers, working in the office is more beneficial. He stressed that young employees, who are still in the learning phase of their careers, thrive in an environment where they can observe and engage directly.

"They learn by going on a sales call. They learn by seeing you make a mistake. They learn by how you deal with the mistake,” Dimon explained, pointing out that remote environments do not facilitate emotional intelligence development in young workers.

Dimon highlighted that this challenge is widespread, urging managers to embrace in-office work as well. He critiqued video conferences, likening them to the game show Hollywood Squares, noting that such formats lead to fewer opportunities for direct interaction and timely updates. He indicated that working from home can decrease ownership of projects and foster a less engaged mindset, attributing it to a state he characterized as "rope-a-dope type of politics."

"There’s very little follow-up, a lot more game playing," he stated, adding, "a lot of people aren't paying attention at all," citing distractions like smartphones during video calls.

Previous Criticism of Remote Work

Dimon's critiques of remote work, especially for early-career employees, are not new. He has previously advocated for an "apprentice system," where younger workers gain firsthand experience from seasoned professionals. "You can't learn working from your basement," he stated in a Bloomberg interview last year.

He also expressed concerns over the challenges remote work presents in maintaining communication with employees, particularly on Fridays, which he declared is not conducive to managing a successful organization.

Other corporate leaders, such as Amazon's Andy Jassy and Instagram Chief Adam Mosseri, have echoed calls for a return to five-day in-office work in recent years. However, opinions are divided; Kevin O'Leary, Shark Tank star and chairman of O'Leary Ventures, has championed remote work as a strategy for attracting top talent. O’Leary noted in a video earlier this month, “I'd rather hire somebody who can execute and sit in their basement or in their backyard.”

JPMorgan's Return-to-Office Policy

Last year, JPMorgan implemented a five-day in-office policy, which led to a significant pushback from employees, with over 1,200 signing a petition advocating for a continued flexible hybrid work model. During a town hall meeting held in February, Dimon criticized the petition, perceiving it as inconsequential.

"Don't waste time on it," Dimon reportedly said during the town hall. "I don't care how many people sign that f—ing petition."

Gen Z Pushes Back

In contrast to Dimon's views, many young employees express reluctance about a full-time return to the office. Although some employers have leveraged the uncertain job market to enforce a return to in-office work, research indicates that nearly 40% of Gen Z and Millennial workers are willing to accept a pay cut for greater flexibility regarding their work location, a sentiment echoed by only 32% of workers across all age groups.

Further research challenges the assumptions posited by leaders like Dimon. A 2024 analysis by the Bureau of Labor Statistics discovered a statistically significant positive relationship across 61 industries between the increase in remote work during the pandemic and productivity growth, among other favorable results. Additionally, Gallup's 2025 State of the Workplace report found that fully remote employees reported the highest engagement rates at 31%, compared to 23% for those in hybrid or on-site roles who are equipped to work remotely.