CEOs Want Workers Back Full-time; Here’s Where Companies Stand On Return-to-work Policies

50% of business leaders say their company requires or plans to require full-time in-person work this year.  

In multiple surveys, 30% to 45% of remote workers have said they’ll quit their jobs if their employers refuse to offer remote-work options.  

In the current tight labor market, denying workers what they want could be a risky strategy for companies.  

Here’s where five high-profile employers stand on remote work, from most permissive to least:  

• Twitter: This company may have the most permissive remote-work policy of any major tech company. In May 2020, then-CEO Jack Dorsey told employees they could work remotely indefinitely even after the pandemic.   
• REI: Last year REI announced it was abandoning the traditional office model and would allow employees to work from home up to five days a week. Satellite offices are available for in-person collaboration.   
• General Motors: GM has the most concise remote-work policy: “Work appropriately.” CEO Mary Barra told employees last year that “where the work permits,” they can work wherever “they can have the greatest impact on achieving our goals.” 
• Citigroup: The company recently required all vaccinated U.S. office workers to return to the office at least two days a week. CEO Jane Fraser said the eventual goal is to have office workers in the office at least three days a week.  
• Netflix: CEO Reed Hastings has said that he doesn’t see any positives of remote work. The pandemic forced him to allow working from home for a while, but he called employees back to the office after Labor Day last September.