⚡ Get All Content for 20% Off ⚡

'You Can't Possibly Get Everything Done': Martha Stewart Slams Remote Work, on 'Rampage' to Get Workers Back in the Office Stewart says she worked five days a week through the pandemic.

By Emily Rella

entrepreneur daily
Getty Images
Martha Stewart arrives for the 2023 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue launch.

Business mogul and 2023 SI Swimsuit cover star Martha Stewart is not holding back when it comes to how she feels about the shift to remote work in the U.S. since the pandemic.

In an interview with Footwear News, the 81-year-old revealed that at the height of the pandemic, she worked a five-day workweek from her Bedford, New York, home and maintains that she's on a self-proclaimed "rampage" to get the majority of corporate America back to in-office work.

"You can't possibly get everything done working three days a week in the office and two days remotely," she told the outlet, bluntly. "Look at the success of France with their stupid … you know, off for August, blah blah blah. That's not a very thriving country. Should America go down the drain because people don't want to go back to work?"

Stewart's comments aren't entirely shocking: The media maven has not been shy with her opinion on work ethic and corporate culture in America.

In a February 2021 interview with Harper's Bazaar, Stewart revealed that she wakes up at 4 a.m. each morning to get her work day started.

"The CEO should be available to everybody at all times, if possible," Stewart said of her business rules. "You should be able to call anybody anytime, even on weekends."

Stewart joins the ranks of other moguls who have affirmed their belief that working remotely leads to a lack of productivity, including Elon Musk who demanded that all Tesla employees return to a 40-hour in-office workweek last June or risk termination from the company.

According to a McKinsey survey from June 2022, 58% of U.S. workers had the option to work remotely at least once a week, and 35% of workers were permitted to work fully remotely.

Stewart is worth an estimated $400 million.

Emily Rella

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Remote Side Hustle a 43-Year-Old Musician Works on for 1 Hour a Day Earns Nearly $3,000 a Month: 'All From the Comfort of Home'

Sam Ziegler wanted to supplement his income as a professional drummer — then his tech skills and desire to help people came together.

Business News

Costco CFO Reveals Uncertain Fate of $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo

CFO Richard Galanti reveals that the price will stay the same — but only "for a while."

Business News

The Most Unexpectedly Popular Side Hustle of the Decade Has Low Startup Costs and High Markups

A new report shows that vending machines are a popular investment — and the industry is set to grow up to $3 billion by 2031.

Marketing

Ever Wonder Why Certain Websites Rank Higher Than Yours? This SEO Expert Reveals The Secret to Dominating Search Results

It's often the smart use of SEO, now supercharged with AI, particularly in keyword optimization.

Business News

AI Is Impacting Jobs. Here Are the Gigs Affected the Most, According to an Analysis of 5 Million Upwork Postings

The researcher said in the report that freelance jobs were analyzed first because that market will likely see AI's immediate impact.

Leadership

Former Interrogator Shares 5 Behaviors Liars Exhibit and How to Handle Them

Five deceptive behaviors to look for and how to respond to those behaviors when you encounter them.