Amazon will begin enforcing a new return-to-office policy in January, requiring more of its corporate employees to work from its Seattle headquarters. The debate over remote work continues, with companies adopting varying policies, including hybrid models that require in-office work on specific days. Amazon’s CEO Andy Jassy expressed a desire for the corporate workforce to return to the office to harness the significant advantages of working together in person. While some companies like Zillow Group are fully remote and are committed to maintaining that flexibility, others, like Seattle-based startup Boundary, believe that in-person communication is essential for easier collaboration and relationship building.
Remote work increased sharply during the pandemic, but hybrid work has become the most adopted policy by companies. Benefits of allowing remote work include the ability to hire in other markets and see an increase in job applicants. Companies like Zebra Partners, which has been remote for 16 years, prioritize hiring the best talent regardless of location. Remote work can provide unexpected advantages such as improving aspects of company culture and allowing for more diverse and inclusive decision-making processes. While working remotely comes with its challenges, companies like Pulumi have seen success in maintaining a remote workforce and hiring top talent from around the world.
Companies that adopt hybrid policies often ask employees to come into the office on specific days, striking a balance between in-person collaboration and remote work. Seattle immigration startup Boundless recently implemented a policy requiring employees to be in the office on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with hopes of integrating new hires faster and boosting company culture. Some leaders, like Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman, emphasize the importance of in-person interactions for fostering company culture and innovation. However, companies like Workiva have found success with a “work where you work best” approach, allowing employees to work remotely as long as they remain in their home country or state.
The ongoing debate over remote work and its impact on productivity and collaboration remains inconclusive. Some studies suggest that remote teams may be less interconnected and less likely to make breakthrough discoveries, while others find that a hybrid schedule with two days working from home does not affect performance negatively. Global CEOs predict a shift to fully in-office work in the next three years, with companies needing to decide on policies that best suit their needs and bottom line. The decision on whether to work remotely or return to the office may ultimately come down to economics and what is most beneficial for the company’s overall performance and success.
