On a message board, Blind, where workers can complain about their employers anonymously, a Credit Karma employee has lashed out at the company’s return to office plan, after a shooting occurred near the company’s headquarters in Oakland, California.
“They forced us to Return to the Office and made us choose between risking our jobs or risking our lives.”
“Now, we’re dealing with more Violent Crime in Oakland than ever before,” the employee wrote.
The worker argued that no one is safe from the attacks witnessed in Oakland and that the company is more concerned about its return to office policy than the safety of its employees.
In her statement, the employee said it all started when the company moved the office to a dangerous neighborhood that was not safe for women, especially when they were returning home from work at night.
The reported shooting occurred in the middle of the day, at 2:15 pm near Broadway and 14th street, a few blocks from the company’s headquarters. During the shooting, one person died, while another was shot and wounded in the chest. According to a local media report, the shooting was only one among four other homicides that occurred in Oakland in 24 hours.
The worker posted that the continuous shootings create a security risk, and Credit Karma cannot protect and escort all 1,700 employees to their homes.
When contacted for comment, the company spokesperson noted that they don’t give credence to anonymous posts and can’t confirm if the post was made by one of their employees. The spokesperson noted that during the incident, they prioritized the safety of their employees and notified the Oakland Police department immediately. Physical security was provided in the lobby areas to escort employees who felt unsafe.
The spokesperson said that since February, they’ve provided a model for returning to the office, and that the company offers flexibility. Employees who feel the company is not doing enough can seek employment elsewhere.
Since its first requirement for a return to the office in February, the company has met resistance from the employees, who argue that they are more productive working from home. Nonetheless, according to the personnel manager, Colleen McCreary, the company didn’t specify the number of days employees should report to the office, but are allowing teams to develop their own schedules, adding that each manager should know where their people are.