Ford Workers Hack Office Screens to Show Anti-Return-to-Office Message

At Ford's Dearborn base, screens lit up with an unexpected sight on October 2. Someone had broken into the display system, putting up a message condemning office returns next to a crossed-out picture of CEO Jim Farley.

"We're aware of an inappropriate use of Ford's IT technology and we're investigating it," said Dave Tovar, Ford spokesman, according to Detroit Free Press. The screens flashed the altered image of Farley marked with a red slash, paired with text opposing the new work rules.

The incident happened just weeks after the company started requiring staff to show up four days weekly. IT teams quickly shut down the rogue display. Officials stayed quiet about whether other sites saw similar disruptions.

Back in June 2025, Ford announced its new workplace rules. Starting September 1, office staff had to work on-site most of the week. "Many of our employees have been in the office three or more days per week for some time now," Tovar said, per Detroit Free Press.

This screen takeover hits just as Ford prepares to cut the ribbon on its massive new home base next month. The building covers 2.1 million square feet in Dearborn. Managers claim the in-person push will boost work output and speed up new car development.

One worker, who kept their name private, opened up to The Autopian: "Some people bought homes farther away. Some people had a child, some people got a dog. We were promised that remote work is here to stay and people built their lives around that."

Other carmakers face similar staff pushback. GM started requiring three office days on January 30, 2023, after workers' initial resistance pushed back the 2022 timeline. GM's chair, Mary Barra, believes that face-to-face work creates better ideas and results.

Current stats from Glassdoor show Ford scoring 4.1 out of 5 stars as a workplace. Out of 11,078 reviews, 72% back Farley's leadership as CEO.