06-14-2023
In a new memo to its employees, Google indicated it really wants workers back in the office. The company's updated hybrid work policy will include tracking office badges to see how often employees are actually coming in. Workers not coming in as much as they should will be confronted about their in-person attendance. In addition, moving forward, performance evaluations will factor in office attendance. Google expects most employees to come to the office at least three days a week. Workers will receive reminders if they exhibit a pattern of absences from the office. Even workers with an approved remote status will be asked to think about switching to hybrid. Meta is also demanding that workers come in at least three times a week. Salesforce is trying the carrot method, offering to donate to local charities for each day its workers go into the office.
Time reported last month that hybrid work continues to grow. According to The Flex Report, which gathered data from 4,000 companies, office hybrid work arrangements were up to 30% in the second quarter of 2023, a 10% increase from the first. The report shows work moving toward a "structured hybrid," with an average range of two or three days required in the office. Most offices do not select Fridays as an in-office day, and Mondays are the second least popular day in the office. States in the west and northeast have the most fully flexible businesses, specifically Oregon, Washington, and Colorado. Arkansas, Alabama, and Louisiana have the most full-time offices. Office occupancy in the ten most populous cities is less than half of pre-pandemic levels, with consumer spending correspondingly down.