Minneapolis Mayor's 'Loser' Joke About Remote Work Sparks Backlash

Jacob Frey's attempt at humor during a speech on the economic impact of remote work has led to criticism and a clarification from the mayor.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey made controversial remarks about remote work, joking that it turns people into 'losers' during a speech at the Minneapolis Downtown Council's annual meeting.
Frey's comments, intended as humor, sparked backlash online, with many criticizing his characterization of remote workers.
The mayor emphasized the economic impact of remote work on downtown Minneapolis, urging people to return to the office to revitalize the area.
Frey later clarified that his 'loser' comment was a joke, referencing a non-existent study, and reiterated the city's resilience and strength.
Major companies across the US, including Meta, Salesforce, and X, have been revising their flexible working policies, enforcing stricter return-to-office mandates.