This millionaire boss believes employees aren't more productive at home: 'I like my people in office'

Barbara Corcoran has been managing people for 51 years ever since she launched her own company. (Image credit: @barbaracorcoran/Instagram)

American real estate mogul and Shark Tank investor Barbara Corcoran isn't convinced that employees are more productive when working from home. The 75-year-old, who has managed employees since launching the Corcoran Group in 1973, said in a recent podcast that although she has adapted to multiple changes in office culture and embraces hybrid work, she prefers her employees to work from the office.

“Whether people are more productive at home — I’m not sure I’m buying it as a boss,” she said at iHeart’s “Way Up With Angela Yee” podcast last month. “When I’m in [the office], I like my people in.”

Corcoran, however, added that she understands the perspective of those who prefer to work from home. “Looking at it from the employee’s vantage point, I get it. Why would you want to get in a car and go to work and waste all that time going in just to go home again?” the millionaire said.

On the days she’s not working in the office herself, “I like my people to know they don’t have to come in.”

Corcoran had founded her real estate firm, Corcoran-Simone, in 1973, but later renamed it to The Corcoran Group and sold it for $66 million in 2001. She gained popularity across the world as an investor for ABC's hit business reality show Shark Tank. Corcoran began appearing on the show in 2009 and is lined up to appear in season 16. Since her first appearance on the show, she has invested $5,465,000 (more than Rs 4,608 crore).

Through her real estate company, investments, and appearances, the 75-year-old has a net worth of $100 million, as estimated by Celebrity Net Worth.