A LinkedIn post by Drew Szurko, Chief Data Officer at an undisclosed company, has ignited controversy after he admitted to misleading job applicants about remote work. Szurko revealed that he advertises roles as remote to attract top talent, only to later disclose that the job requires in-office presence after candidates accept the offer.
Defending his approach, Szurko argued that companies risk losing skilled professionals if they list positions as in-office from the start. He justified the method as a strategic way to secure top talent, rather than a deceptive hiring practice.
However, the post quickly faced backlash, with users condemning it as unethical and manipulative. Many compared the tactic to a “bait-and-switch,” highlighting that if employees misrepresented their skills in a similar way, they would be fired. Critics slammed the move as damaging to employer trust and workplace integrity.
Amid mounting criticism, Szurko edited his post, claiming it was satire and not meant to be taken seriously. He later explained in the comments that it was an inside joke for former colleagues. However, many remained unconvinced, with some suggesting he was merely backtracking to escape backlash. Discussions across platforms like Reddit continued to call out the practice as unethical, with some joking that employees should retaliate by accepting in-office jobs and working remotely anyway.
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