Image: Tada Images / shutterstock.com
Digital rebellion instead of a time clock
What do you do if the new obligation to return to the office goes against the grain? At Ford in the USA, one (still anonymous) employee has given a pretty clear answer: instead of working to rule, he prefers to hijack the IT systems - and leave a hefty message on the screens:
"Fuck RTO" (meaning: "Back to the office? You can forget it!").
The vulgar message, including a crossed-out photo of Ford CTO Jim Farley, was shown on several displays in meeting rooms - not only at the headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, but possibly also worldwide.
Four days of attendance? Too much for many
What's behind it? Ford introduced a new rule on September 1, 2025: In future, employees will have to come into the office four days a week. This puts an end to the comfortable home office model that many have worked hard for (and frankly grown to love) during the pandemic.
But the sudden U-turn is causing resentment - above all because some employees see it as rigid and ruthless. Ford boss Farley is already being openly criticized on social networks: He is said to have supported layoffs when employees were unable to comply with the new rule due to vacation or illness. Ford denies this.
Attack on the infrastructure - from within the company
However, the incident shows that there is something brewing in the company corridors. The fact that a single employee had access to the presentation systems and used them to make a political statement is not only embarrassing for the management, but also an IT security problem.
A company spokesperson confirmed the incident to the Detroit Free Press, but emphasized that the ad was only visible "briefly" and was quickly removed. Whether the hack was limited to one location or whether the image was visible worldwide is currently being investigated.
And the employee? Still unknown. No dismissal yet. No consequences yet - officially.
When resistance goes digital
What has happened here goes beyond a simple "digital smear campaign". It shows how wide the gap between company management and employees has become - especially when it comes to the question of how we will work in the future.
The desire for flexibility is not just a "luxury problem for IT staff", but has become part of the work culture. Anyone who ignores this and suddenly starts waving the time clock again must expect resistance. Even if - as here - it flickers across the screens quite literally.
Old working models fit for the future?
When management threatens to take back the team spirit, it should come as no surprise when employees give the digital middle finger. Of course, such an attack on a company's systems is not legal - but it is an unmistakable signal: this is simply no longer how collaboration works in 2025.
If you rely on control instead of trust, you don't get motivation - you get revolt. And that no longer comes with a strike banner, but with admin access and a GIF file.
