Senior executives at Kazakhstan’s ForteBank say remote work undermines teamwork, discipline and corporate culture, arguing that the physical office remains essential to how the bank operates.
Timur Issatayev, chairman of the board, and Talgat Kuanyshev, CEO, shared their views during a recent podcast on the YouTube channel «Two Meters.»
Office first, by design
Issatayev said remote work is prohibited at ForteBank as a matter of principle. Management views the office not merely as a place to complete tasks, but as a core element of the bank’s internal culture.
«We believe corporate culture, informal relationships, and even conversations over coffee or in the smoking room are an essential part of daily work,» Issatayev said.
In-person interaction can’t be replaced
Kuanyshev echoed that position, emphasizing that face-to-face communication cannot be replicated online.
«Can you really get married remotely?» he asked. «We’ve had so many wonderful couples here.» He noted that many ForteBank employees met their spouses at work.
According to Kuanyshev, the bank actively encourages informal social interaction. Employees play football together and regularly participate in corporate events and celebrations — activities he says are impossible to fully recreate in a remote-work environment.
Discipline and focus
Kuanyshev also argued that working from the office helps maintain discipline and focus.
«We don’t accept remote work because it’s not work,» he said. «Your spouse will distract you, or your cat, or something else. And that doesn’t bring the team together.»
Dress code reflects leadership standards
ForteBank maintains a moderate but strict dress code, which Kuanyshev said management reinforces by setting an example.
«If we don’t wear ties, people will come to work in shorts,» he said.
