Allow Cigna Employees to Continue to Work from Home

In 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the feasibility and sustainability of working from home. While COVID-19 closed offices globally, companies like Cigna managed to maintain steady growth during the global epidemic. Prior to the pandemic, Cigna’s annual revenue was $153.6B, in 2020 $160.4B, in 2021 $174.1B, and $180.5B for 2022. March 31 quarter was $46.5 billion which is a 5.7% increase from the previous year (The Cigna Group, 2019-2023).
Cigna has accomplished its goals due to its 70,000 employees of whom 90% currently work from home. Now Cigna is demanding that employees return to the office.

There are many benefits of working from home. Employees who work from home have higher levels of job and life satisfaction (Bloom, et al., 2015). Work from home jobs reduce stress and psychological distress (Moen, et al., 2016). Work engagement and concentration improve when employees work remotely (Song & Gao, 2020). Employees who work from home have greater work engagement (Yang, et al., 2023). There is a significant correlation between telecommuting and employee turnover reduction (Gajendran & Harrison, 2017).

To quote the Cigna website, Cigna is “leading the industry doing important work, and we're doing it with the most amazing employees in the world” (Cigna Group, 2023). Yet, despite the many reported benefits, revenue increases, and employee praise, many workers are being forced to return to the offices in 2023. One Cigna spokesperson said, "Our intent is to bring more employees back to the office a majority of the time, while still supporting the flexibility they need to balance personal and professional responsibilities" (Wilson, 2023). Cigna boasts flexibility; however, many employees have no other choice than to return to the office.

As one employee explains, “The company has also made a change to its work from home policy, where employees will be brought back to the office, but are being very vague to those who work remotely in a state with no Cigna office, outside of telling those who do that relocation assistance will not be provided” (Indeed, 2023). Another employee warns, “Please be aware that the postings you see for “remote work” are misleading. They plan to move people back to offices even if you were hired as 100% remote or you have been remote for 15 years. Most people will now have to drive 1-2 hours, three times per week to sit in cubicles and use WebEx to meet with team members who live in different states. They claim this is about collaboration and innovation, but I can’t imagine a more sad and pathetic workday” (Indeed, 2023). Even a positive reviewer mentioned, “The most enjoyable part of the job is working from home” (Indeed, 2023).

Allowing employees to work from home demonstrates that a company has “a human-centered strategic vision, which helps the company support its workers’ mental and physical health” (Jaiswal & Arun, 2022). Also, companies that understand employees’ needs show organizational resiliency and these are the companies that survive, maintain competitiveness, and keep productivity (Krajčík, et al., 2023).
Several competing companies such as Humana and United Health Care have adopted remote and hybrid work as the standard working model. In September, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee committed to permanent remote work for most of its employees (Wilson, 2023).

Cordani told Becker's Health that "change has to accelerate to in order for us to continue to succeed. Innovation and brainstorming are most effective in person - to easily build on each other's ideas, problem-solve and ideate" (Wilson, 2023, para. 6). RT Florida [handle name] commented to this, “I'm curious as to how many employees spend any time in group "Innovation and brainstorming" and "problem-solv[ing] and ideat[ion]," and for those who are, how much of their time actually involves those activities? I expect it is not very many and for most, it is a minor part of their role. Sounds like just another CEO wanting to hold on to old ways and not change with the times” (Wilson, 2023).
That is what many Cigna employees are also asking. Especially for those who will now dedicate hours commuting, face transportation issues, manage childcare, pay additional parking, insurance, and gas fees, have increased stress, and less time with their families only to communicate with their team members in other states via email, web chat and web meetings.

Working from home is beneficial to employees work life balance and has proven successful for the company for 3+ years during the pandemic and longer for some roles. Cigna employees are asking for the flexibility mentioned to various media outlets. Please listen to the needs of the employees who have made Cigna successful before and during the pandemic. Please allow these “amazing” employees to have an actual choice.