Lord Sugar Tells Workers To Get Back In The Office
Lord Sugar Tells Workers To Get Back In The Office.
Lord Alan Sugar, renowned for his role on the BBC program The Apprentice, advocates for the return of genuine apprentices, as well as all other employees, to the workplace.
"They've got to get their bums back into the office," he told the BBC.
RELATED: Lord Alan Sugar's Net Worth 2025: The Apprentice Boss.
The entrepreneur-turned-television figure, who possesses office premises in central London, has entered the discussion regarding remote work, which has been ignited by the changes in work habits that emerged after the Covid pandemic.
Lord Sugar, recognized for his distinctly critical perspective, further characterized Brexit as "the biggest disaster in [his] lifetime".
"It is now [that] the full ramifications of us not being in the European Union is starting to really take its toll," he said. He said that re-joining might help the UK out of its current trouble.
"If I was prime minister, I would be coming along on my bended knees and asking to be allowed back in," he said.
Lord Sugar, in an interview with BBC Breakfast to commemorate the debut of the 19th season of The Apprentice, expressed his belief that using artificial intelligence (AI) as "a bit cheating".
He noted that the program aims to design challenges that align with contemporary technological advancements, even though participants are prohibited from using the internet, mobile phones, or calculators.
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However, despite the growing prevalence of AI in the recruitment process and among job seekers, he remains opposed to its use.
"If you're going to use it to write your CV and big yourself up, then that's wrong, isn't it?"
Regarding remote work, he expressed a willingness to make exceptions for software developers who may experience bursts of creativity at unconventional hours, such as three in the morning, as well as for individuals with physical disabilities.
However, he emphasized the importance of in-person interaction for all other employees, particularly apprentices, urging them to engage more with their colleagues. He noted that many young individuals seem to prefer staying at home.
"I'm a great advocate of getting them back to work, because the only way an apprentice is going to learn, is from his colleagues.
"It's small things, like interaction with your more mature colleagues, that will tell you how to do this, how to do that.
"That is lacking in this work-from-home, zoom culture."
Lord Sugar's remarks follow those of Lord Stuart Rose, the former chief executive of Marks and Spencer and Asda, who stated earlier this month that remote work does not constitute "proper work."
RELATED: What Businesses Does Lord Sugar Own?
Lord Sugar initially amassed his first million through the sale of some of the earliest personal computers. He established and subsequently floated his company, Amstrad, before pursuing various other business endeavors and eventually transitioning into the entertainment industry.
Additionally, Lord Sugar is the proprietor of the property firm Amsprop, which boasts a portfolio of prime office spaces in central London.
His current estimated net worth exceeds £1 billion.
Despite his candid and diverse opinions, the similarities with another former presenter of The Apprentice in the United States are minimal, as he does not harbor any political aspirations.
"I have no intention of putting myself forward to be the prime minister, because it's an untenable and thankless job," he says.
Lord Sugar’s out-of-touch remarks on remote work ignore the evolving nature of modern employment and the benefits of flexibility for both businesses and workers. His insistence on returning to the office disregards productivity gains, work-life balance, and employee well-being. His stance appears self-serving, given his vested interest in commercial office spaces.
Moreover, dismissing AI as “cheating” reflects a failure to embrace technological progress. While his business success is undeniable, his rigid views on work culture feel outdated. Instead of adapting to the future, he clings to an outdated model that may hinder, rather than help, businesses and employees alike.
