In a recent remote interview with the BBC, British business magnate and host of “The Apprentice,” Lord Alan Sugar, voiced his strong opinions against remote work, claiming it negatively impacts morale and learning.
Speaking virtually with BBC Breakfast following the premiere of the 18th season of “The Apprentice,” Lord Sugar remarked, “You don’t learn sitting at home in your pyjamas. I think it’s bad for morale, bad for learning. I know I learned from being with other people in an office. I’m totally against it.”
However, Lord Sugar’s comments have drawn criticism, with many pointing out the irony of his statements made during a remote interview. A TikTok video posted by the BBC featuring the interview has garnered numerous critical comments, questioning why Lord Sugar opted for a virtual setting rather than attending the interview in person.
One user commented, “Why didn’t he show up to the interview at the studio?” while another pointed out the apparent contradiction, saying, “He says while sitting at home.”
Sugar critiqued the younger generations work ethic
Lord Sugar’s PR advisor, Andrew Bloch, mentioned that Lord Sugar was out of the country at the time of the interview. Business Insider reached out to Bloch for further comments but did not receive an immediate response.
This controversy comes in the wake of Lord Sugar’s recent critique of the younger generation’s work ethic during an interview with The Daily Mail. He expressed concern about a perceived lack of hunger and a preference for quick fixes among the younger workforce.
The ongoing debate between older generations and Gen Z regarding work ethic has been gaining momentum, with figures such as Whoopi Goldberg, John Catsimatidis, and former Whole Foods CEO John Mackey also sharing their opinions on the matter.
As remote work continues to be a prevalent aspect of the modern work landscape, discussions surrounding its impact on productivity and professional development persist.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.