Meet the People Who Refused to Go Back to the Office and Lost Their Jobs

Welcome back. Today we hear from employees coming to terms with the fact that they might never work from home again. Plus, the drugs that young bankers use to get through their days—and nights.

This is a condensed version of WSJ’s Careers & Leadership newsletter. Sign up here to get the WSJ’s comprehensive work coverage in your inbox each week.

The People Who May Never Get to Work from Home Again

Companies are finally getting serious about in-person requirements, after years of lax enforcement. People who lost jobs after refusing to go back to the office say that being shown the exit isn’t the worst part. Harder to swallow is the realization that they might never again score a remote or hybrid work arrangement as good as the one they had. 

Company Holiday Parties Dump the Plus-One

Someone’s not invited to the holiday party this year: your spouse.The tradition of bringing a plus-one to the big company bash is fading out—and with it, a chance to know co-workers better.

The Best Managed Companies

Apple topped the list of best-managed companies of 2024. Tech companies hold six of the top 10 spots, while Mastercard jumped to fifth place from 24th last year.

Best of the Rest

Check out some of the Journal's best-read stories on work life over the past week:

• The Drugs Young Bankers Use to Get Through the Day—and Night (Read)

• Putting Your Marathon Time on Your Résumé: Healthy Fun or Cringey Flex? (Read)
• No Pay for an 80-Hour Workweek? DOGE Applicants Say Bring It On (Read)

This is a condensed version of WSJ’s Careers & Leadership newsletter. Sign up here to get the WSJ’s comprehensive work coverage in your inbox each week.

This newsletter was curated by Lynn Cook, WSJ's Careers and Workplace Bureau Chief. Reach her on LinkedIn.