• A viral audio clip features Jamie Dimon using colorful language.
• The JPMorgan CEO is known for his direct and blunt communication style.
• Dimon expressed his thoughts at a JPMorgan town hall regarding remote work policies.

A recently viral audio recording of Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, has caught widespread attention for its candid language, a rarity among industry leaders.

Dimon is certainly no stranger to bold expressions, especially during last week’s discussion about the ongoing work-from-home debate with staff.

Last year, he criticized the private equity sector’s recruiting practices in a manner that stunned attendees, declaring, “I think that’s unethical. I don’t like it, and I may eliminate it regardless of what the private-equity guys say,” at a Georgetown University Q&A session.

Dimon’s use of explicit language isn’t new; in 2012, New York magazine quoted him saying, “It’s a free. F—-ing. Country,” when pressed on questions relating to the financial crisis and a major trading error that resulted in significant losses for the bank.

He has also colorful remarks on more routine subjects, such as succession planning. “The most important strength is being trusted and respected, working hard, genuinely caring, and acknowledging that you don’t know everything,” he stated during the 2023 annual investor presentation, according to a transcript from AlphaSense.

He candidly addressed JPMorgan’s financial standing, saying, “As a shareholder, I want to acknowledge our mistakes, maintain a strong balance sheet, and avoid missteps, which we occasionally encounter,” during a 2015 earnings call.

On economic challenges, he commented, “When the situation escalates, and it eventually will, many borrowers are going to be stranded,” at a financial industry conference last year.

Although this approach may take some by surprise, it has established Dimon as a no-nonsense figure on Wall Street. “He’s direct,” observed Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the UK, in a 2011 Reuters article. “He won’t quietly sit in a meeting if he disagrees with something; he will voice his opinion.”

This week, Dimon’s straightforward nature was highlighted when Barron’s released an audio clip from a town hall in Columbus, Ohio, where he criticized the work-from-home culture. As of Friday afternoon, the audio had garnered approximately 1.7 million views.

“And don’t give me this nonsense about work-from-home Fridays working,” Dimon stated bluntly, according to the recording, which Business Insider obtained. “I often call people on Fridays, and there’s just no one available.”

As previously reported by Business Insider, JPMorgan is requiring all employees to return to the office five days a week starting in March. This mandate primarily affects back-office staff, including technology roles that were not already in the office daily.

According to Reuters, this return-to-office policy prompted a group of employees to create an online petition, which Dimon addressed directly at the meeting, stating, “Don’t waste your time on it. I don’t care how many people sign that petition.”