After a while of using a work issued small form desktop at work than ran Windows 11 for almost 6 months, and then coming back to using my Linux Mint laptop, I got reminded why I preferred using Linux Mint at work.
For my work, I had to access a remote desktop. As such, the OS that my computer runs locally doesn't really matters while there is app available to access the remote desktop without issues from any place with an Internet connection. Which I was able to do for more than a couple of years, until a boss decided that the only way we could connect to the remote desktop and print, was only to be done on a Windows computer at the local network.
Which has come to bite us several times over the last year and a half, specially since only a couple of accounts can make the invoices needed to send our clients orders and at times only one of us was at the office and could not invoice and print them.
The main reason cited for the change was network security, which for us was a non issue since to login to the remote desktop the IT department has to issue a hardened account with password to each user, and the permission to the account to be able to access the printer. As such, the access to the printer is not only secure, but also restricted to only those who actually need to be able to print. Those who can't, have to ask someone who can by policy.
Not only that, some of us who use the system and need to print have more capable computers than the ones that the company can issue us. And the server, and software we use, require that each computer to be added to the whitelist to be able to connect to the server. Which means that someone leaves the company, and used his own computer to work, that machine can taken off the white list, and be denied access even if they for some reason still have their individual user and password on their machine afterwards.
Personally, taking away the chance of each employee to connect to the server with the computer they already bring with them when is safe to do so, is something that doesn't make sense. Doing so, is denying people doing their best work with the tool that allows them to do so. If people can do their work bringing their own devices, they should be allowed to do so. Specially on post that you know they can be trusted to do it in the best way possible, and there are ways to set restrictions in such a way they can only access what they need to do their job.
Not only that, when they bring a laptop or tablet, that allows them to do their job from wherever they are at any given time. is a change to offer flexibility to that employee and/or have some insurance that they would be able to continue do the job if they can make it to the office sometimes.
Even if by company policy, employees need to come in to the office, being able to work remotely if there is the need means that work won't come to a stop if something unforeseen happens. It give everyone involved the certainty that things can be done even if the unexpected happen.
It is sad to see companies not allowing their employees do their best work because they don't use the tech at hand to its full potential. In a way, they are leaving money at the table, because their employees can't solve problems or find ways to work focused to giving the best they can. If employees aren't allowed to use their tools to their full potential in a way that lets their creativity to solve problems for the costumer the company loses.
Tech should be at the service of the employees, so they can actually do their best for the benefit of the consumer that will use the services of the company more often in a recurring way. People make businesses great, but only if given the best tools possible.
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