ZOOM: Remote Work Pioneer Now Advocating for In-Person Interaction

The video conference company stated that employees living within 50 miles of an office should engage in its updated hybrid work model — which they believe to be the most effective for their operations.

What’s going on:

Zoom, the video conferencing tool that became synonymous with remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, is now asking its workers to return to the office for at least two days a week, according to The Messenger. The company has stated that employees living within 50 miles of an office should engage in this hybrid work model — which they believe to be the most effective for their operations.

Why it matters:

This move by Zoom, a company that has been instrumental in facilitating remote work, is reflective of a wider trend of companies seeking a return to in-person work. Companies continue to adapt to the post pandemic economy and the move emphasizes the perceived value of in-person interaction when promoting collaboration, innovation, and customer support — despite the success of remote working tools.

How it’ll impact the future:

Zoom’s hybrid approach could be seen as a template for many companies contemplating their own work environment strategies. It reinforces the notion that while remote work is viable and effective, the physical office and in-person interaction still hold an important place for many businesses — even for one that makes products based on remote collaboration. Zoom’s commercial tools are influential in remote and hybrid workflows across many different industries. This could lead to increased adoption of hybrid work models worldwide.