JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon stood firm on the company’s current policy requiring employees to work five days a week in the office, despite admitting that he may have gone too far with his use of expletives in a recent town hall where an employee raised the topic

“I completely respect people that don’t want to go to the office all five days a week. That’s your right. It’s my right. It’s a citizen’s right. But they should respect that the company is going to decide what’s good for the client, the company, etcetera – not the individual,” he told CNBC at the company’s global leveraged finance conference in Miami.

While standing firm on his return-to-office stance, Dimon clarified that his objection is specifically to remote work situations where productivity suffers. He emphasized that employees who disagree with the policy are free to seek opportunities elsewhere, respecting differing corporate approaches to work flexibility. “They can get a job—I’m not being mean—they can get a job elsewhere. I totally understand that it may make total sense for them to do that.” 

Addressing his earlier outburst during the town hall, Dimon expressed regret for his use of profanity, acknowledging that it was inappropriate. He attributed his strong reaction to his commitment to providing thorough answers during employee interactions, noting that he values open dialogue despite the controversy it may stir.

The leaked audio from the town hall, where Dimon's expletive-laden response to a petition against the office mandate went viral, sparked widespread criticism. Despite this backlash, Dimon remains steadfast in his position on returning to the office, underscoring his commitment to what he believes is best for the company's operational effectiveness.

The incident underscores ongoing debates about remote work's future in corporate environments, highlighting the challenges and differing viewpoints among executives, employees, and stakeholders on workplace flexibility and productivity.