A JPMorgan Chase executive recently urged thousands of staff members to embrace a “hustle” mindset, following comments from CEO Jamie Dimon that criticized employee resistance to the bank’s five-day in-office policy.

This memo highlights the ongoing friction between JPMorgan’s commitment to an in-office work culture and employees who point out their strong performance during periods of flexible work arrangements.

“We need increased hustle and resourcefulness,” Rohan Amin, the chief product officer for Chase’s consumer division, conveyed in a message to over 25,000 employees last week. He noted a disappointing response rate to a survey on artificial intelligence, which yielded fewer than five replies, and mentioned how internal processes hindered better outcomes.

According to two anonymous sources, some staff members reacted negatively to Amin’s remarks, though another source indicated he received a surge of constructive feedback following his latest communication.

“There are numerous changes occurring—adjustments to the return to office policy, uncertainties ahead, and real estate challenges,” Amin stated. “I recognize that uncertainty can breed frustration… Yet, I have to ask: where’s the hustle?”

In a separate conversation, Dimon told CNBC that while he respects the preference of employees who wish to work remotely, the mandatory in-office policy will remain as it’s deemed beneficial for both clients and the organization.

“I support remote work, but only in contexts where it proves effective,” he explained, adding that 10% of positions at the bank are exclusively remote.

Some employees have reached out to the Communications Workers of America for guidance on potentially forming a labor union, a rare initiative within the U.S. financial sector. The petition advocating for this effort has gathered 1,200 signatures, as acknowledged by Dimon to CNBC.

When questioned about the office attendance policy during a recent staff meeting, Reuters reported Dimon’s candid response: “Don’t waste time on it. I don’t care how many people sign that petition,” he stated at the time.

On Monday, Dimon reflected on his previous remarks, saying that swearing in town hall meetings is inappropriate.