I'm a remote employee and was just asked (basically told) if I was interested in managing a new member on the team. The catch is this new person would be fully in-person at the office which is about a 2.5 hour drive from me.

Any advice on how to navigate? I don't think this sets up a good manager/managee relationship for success. And I half wonder if this is a ploy to get me into the office despite me being hired as a remote worker.

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I manage an international team where people are a 10 hour flight from me and it works out just fine. I don’t think it’s a problem to have people located in other areas that you manage.

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I feel like its a little different if everyone is so spread out though. But I guess you make the point that you can still effectively manage from afar.

My manager is three states away. It works fine. Don’t think too much about it. If they’re trying to get you to RTO, they’ll just tell you eventually.

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Thank you! I'm glad it works for you.

My first question is the “dead canary” one: How is the health of your company and the quality of your company’s work over the last year?

A five day RTO means multiple red flags operationally and financially.

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I mean we seem to be doing fine and I'm not concerned about the financial health of the company. But this just seems like a weird scenario.

I'm unique in that I'm remote but I perform well. So I feel like they may just be concerned about optics if this is really about trying to get me back in.

If the office is that distant it seems odd that that they'd be trying some kind of backdoor RTO. I imagine a five-hour commute is not in the cards. This scenario sounds odd, but perhaps it makes sense in the context of the work. They must think you would work well with the new person despite the physical distance. I think we've all gotten so used to remote work and all that comes with it that people no longer see obstacles in arrangements like that.

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I very much could just be reading into it. I have a convo with my manager scheduled to talk more through this.

It can work, but it takes clear boundaries and extra effort. If you’re uncomfortable, be upfront. Ask how they envision communication and support happening, and if there’s flexibility for hybrid or remote options for that new hire too. Also, gently flag your concerns about the commute and whether this means a shift in your remote status. Trust your gut; you deserve clarity.

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Yeah definitely want to set some ground rules and expectations if we go this route.

I’m remote and manage non-remote employees. This doesn’t strike me as off.

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Ok good to know it can be successful.

Yeah I think you’re reading into it. I don’t work in the same office as most of my team.

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