Harper Lin
Former New York City Mayor and billionaire businessman Michael Bloomberg has been an outspoken critic of remote work, arguing that employees are slacking off and playing golf instead of working. While some sources suggest that remote work has led to a golfing boom, it hasn't necessarily led to a decrease in productivity. Bloomberg, however, maintains his stance that in-person work is critical. Interestingly, Bloomberg, a golf enthusiast himself, has also made headlines for his controversial statements justifying the need for illegal immigrants in golf course grooming.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Remote work | Bloomberg is a critic of remote work |
| Golfing employees | Bloomberg believes that employees are golfing during work hours |
| Productivity | Bloomberg believes that productivity is reduced by remote work |
| In-person work | Bloomberg values in-person work and interaction |
| Golf courses | Bloomberg has been spotted at golf courses in Bermuda and New Jersey |
| Illegal immigrants | Bloomberg has suggested that golf courses need illegal immigrants for maintenance |
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What You'll Learn
Bloomberg plays golf with President Obama in 2010
Former New York Mayor and billionaire businessman Michael Bloomberg is an outspoken critic of remote work. He has implied that employees are slacking off and playing golf during work hours instead of working. Ironically, Bloomberg, an avid golfer himself, has played golf with President Obama in 2010.
Bloomberg, who is known to play up to two rounds of golf a day at exclusive clubs, teamed up with President Obama against Vernon Jordan, a former adviser to President Clinton, and Marvin Nicholson, a White House aide. The game took place on August 27, 2010, at the Vineyard Golf Club in Edgartown, Massachusetts. Bloomberg expressed his excitement about being invited by the President, saying, "You know, it's a kick to be invited by the president of the United States; I don't care how blasé you are."
Despite their varying ages and heights, Team Obama-Bloomberg was well-matched. They placed a wager on the match, with Bloomberg and Obama losing and paying $11 each to their rivals. Bloomberg commented on Obama's performance, saying, "He did play fine." Bloomberg's interest in golf has intensified, and he has even started to compare leadership to the sport. When asked to rate Obama as a leader, Bloomberg replied, "It's like a golfer: You never put your ball on the fairway every time."
Bloomberg has also played golf with President Joe Biden and other CEOs, such as JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon, Twitter's Elon Musk, and Alphabet's Sundar Pichai. While Bloomberg has criticized remote workers for playing golf, it is important to note that research shows remote work has not led to a decrease in productivity. In fact, national productivity during and post-pandemic has been strong.
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Bloomberg claims Trump cheats at golf
In 2020, Mike Bloomberg sponsored billboards in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Phoenix, Arizona, claiming that then-President Donald Trump "cheats at golf". The billboards were part of Bloomberg's 2020 presidential campaign and were intended to be specifically antagonizing to Trump, who was also running for president at the time.
Bloomberg and Trump were previously friends who enjoyed golfing together. However, their relationship soured when they became political foes. Bloomberg has made multiple digs at Trump's appearance, intellect, and popularity. Trump, in turn, has mocked Bloomberg's stature, referring to him as "Mini Mike".
Trump's cheating tactics on the golf course have been detailed by sportswriter Rick Reilly, who claims that Trump will do anything to win. Reilly alleges that Trump uses a "turbo-charged golf cart" to get ahead of his competition so that he can move the balls around before they catch up. He also claims that Trump has won tournaments that he didn't even participate in.
Despite these allegations, a spokesperson for Trump denied Reilly's claims of cheating.
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Bloomberg plays golf after a deadly train derailment
Former New York City Mayor and billionaire businessman Michael Bloomberg has been criticized for continuing to play golf in Bermuda following a deadly train derailment in the Bronx, New York City, in 2013. The accident, which occurred around 7:20 a.m. on Sunday, resulted in four fatalities and left over 60 people injured.
Bloomberg, who was on a weekend trip to Bermuda, was spotted playing golf at the Mid Ocean Golf Club early on Sunday morning and continued playing until about noon, according to eyewitnesses. While the mayor's spokesman refused to disclose Bloomberg's whereabouts, it was later confirmed that he remained on the golf course after the train derailment.
Upon his return to New York later that day, Bloomberg visited some of those injured in the hospital. When asked about his decision to continue playing golf, Bloomberg defended his actions, stating, "What can I do? I'm not a professional firefighter or a police officer. There's nothing I can do." He also emphasized that the Metro-North trains are run by the MTA, a state agency, and it was appropriate for Governor Andrew Cuomo and local officials to take the lead in the emergency response.
This incident sparked discussions about the role of leaders during crises and the importance of their physical presence at the site of such incidents. Bloomberg has been known to face criticism for being absent during other significant events, such as the 2010 blizzard that paralyzed New York City.
Separately, Bloomberg has been an outspoken critic of remote work, implying that employees are taking advantage of work-from-home policies and spending time on the golf course instead of working. He has advocated for a return to in-person work, arguing that physical presence is crucial for productivity and collaboration.
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Bloomberg implies remote workers are playing golf instead of working
Former New York City mayor and billionaire businessman Michael Bloomberg has implied that remote workers are playing golf instead of working. In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Bloomberg expressed his belief that employees are slacking off by hitting the golf course during the workday. He stated, "I will say we are paying our employees for five days a week of work."
Bloomberg's comments come as he once again calls for an end to remote work and ramps up the return-to-office policy at his media company. He told CBS's Mo Rocca that remote work for federal employees had "gone on too long." Bloomberg is an outspoken critic of remote work and has argued that in-person work is critical. He also claimed that 80% of his employees at his company show up at least three days a week, and he has since pushed that mandate to four days.
Supporting Bloomberg's claim, research shows that remote work has led to a golfing boom. Economists Alex Finan and Nick Bloom published a Stanford University research paper that established a link between remote work and an increase in golf course visits during mid-afternoons on weekdays. However, they also noted that golfing during work breaks does not reduce productivity as long as employees make up their time later in the day. National productivity during and post-pandemic has remained strong.
Despite this, Bloomberg maintains his stance that remote work is detrimental to an organization's future. He joins other big-name CEOs, including JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon, Twitter's Elon Musk, and Alphabet's Sundar Pichai, in advocating for a return to the office. Many large employers, such as Meta, Amazon, and Goldman Sachs, have also called their workers back, ending work-from-home policies. However, employees have been pushing back, looking for new jobs, or refusing to follow return-to-office mandates.
While Bloomberg's comments may have a basis in increased golf course popularity, it is a stretch to assume that all remote workers are playing golf instead of working. Remote work arrangements offer benefits such as improved work-life balance and increased productivity for some individuals. Additionally, managers and employees disagree about the effectiveness of working from home, with a Stanford University survey showing that employees felt 7.4% more productive working remotely, while managers believed they were 3.5% less productive.
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Bloomberg plays golf with Vice President Joe Biden
Former New York City Mayor, media tycoon, and billionaire Michael Bloomberg is an outspoken critic of remote work. He has implied that employees are slacking off and playing golf during work hours. Bloomberg told CBS:
> Every golf course that I've heard about in the last three years has had record summers, okay? It is funny, but it's tragic.
Bloomberg's stance on remote work is shared by other big-name CEOs, including JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon, Twitter's Elon Musk, and Alphabet's Sundar Pichai.
Ironically, Bloomberg himself played golf with then-Vice President Joe Biden. Biden, an avid golfer, played at the Wilmington Country Club, not far from his Delaware home. He also played golf frequently as vice president.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Michael Bloomberg does play golf. He has played golf with former US President Barack Obama and former Vice President Joe Biden.
Michael Bloomberg is an outspoken critic of remote work. He has implied that remote employees are playing golf instead of working, and has called for an end to work-from-home policies.
During the 2020 presidential election race, Michael Bloomberg unveiled billboards in Las Vegas and Phoenix that claimed Donald Trump "cheats at golf". This was in response to Trump calling Bloomberg a "carnival barking clown".
