Google’s CEO Admits Flexibility Produces The Best Work, But Is It Enough?

Google CEO Sundar Pichai’s schedule highlights just how important flexibility is to a workforce. 

In the Wall Street Journal series “My Monday Morning,” Pichai revealed that he feels most productive after 10 pm and enjoys dedicating his mornings to quiet time. He then takes time to create a to-do list for the upcoming week. 

Pichai says his own routine is reflected in Google’s new hybrid work policy, which aims to make employees’ work and personal lives more balanced. 

In addition to this more flexible approach, Google will relaunch its lavish amenities that it has become known for, such as massage chairs, a full shuttle service, free breakfasts and lunch, and more. All of this is to emphasize that the physical office is still important despite providing workers with a little more freedom. 

While Pichai said that coming into the office is still a necessity, there will still be a portion of Google employees that work fully remotely. By embracing a hybrid model, Pichai believes that workers can perform their best. 

“I see it as a new canvas on which we can develop newer ways, which make people’s professional and personal lives more fulfilling,” said Pichai. 

Although Google is certainly taking steps to transition to a new way of working, the company has faced backlash over portions of its remote work policies due to some workers experiencing a pay cut based on their geographical location.  

Additionally, employees have argued that the company is not going far enough with their hybrid model and that more workers should have the freedom to choose their own schedule.