During the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, offices worldwide transitioned to remote work setups. Many employees, having experienced the benefits, have continued to advocate for remote work. Even Google CEO Sundar Pichai recognized the advantages and shared insights on balancing work and home life.
In a 2021 interview with The Wall Street Journal, Pichai suggested a three-days-in-office, two-days-at-home model for better work-life balance, particularly citing long commutes in cities like New York and San Francisco as a concern.
Following Pichai’s remarks, Google adjusted its work-from-home policy in 2023. Employees were required to return to offices for at least three days a week, prompting discontent among those preferring remote work.
Reports indicated that remote workers near Google offices were urged to reconsider their remote status and switch to a hybrid schedule. An internal document suggested reassessment for remote workers based on business needs and changes in roles or locations.
Google’s Chief People Officer, Fiona Cicconi, emphasized the importance of in-office collaboration in an email to employees. She highlighted the value of face-to-face interactions and credited proximity for the development of recent products showcased at events like I/O and Google Marketing Live.
Cicconi also announced a shift towards remote work only in exceptional cases, signaling reduced flexibility compared to previous policies. Additionally, there were reports of Google considering employee attendance as a factor in performance reviews.
