Uber backtracks on its return to office plans. 50% remote + 50% work from "Uber hubs" now 💯‍

Just a few months back, Uber announced that they will be adopting a hybrid workspace model. However, employees will be required to work out of their designated office 3 days per week.

In light of the recent announcements by the likes of Google & Facebook adopting a more flexible approach to working, Uber has also overhauled its remote working plans.

Remote work for 50% of time, whenever you like

Per Uber's new policy, employees can work remotely 50% of the time and they can choose the split themselves. In the words of Uber's chief people officer, Nikki Krishnamurthy

"This can be 3 days one week and 2 days the next week OR 5 days one week and 0 days the next week. It depends on what works best for the employee and their team."

Work from any "Uber hub" for the rest 50% of time

Uber employees are required to be in office 50% of the time. But this doesn't have to be a designated office. People can choose from a list of dedicated team hubs to work from.

Not just that, you can also apply for a fully remote position/transfer and you may end up working remotely 100% of the time depending on your manager/team approval.

Finally, everyone gets the chance to work from anywhere for one full month in a year!

Large tech companies leading the way & employees threatening to quit are building up the pressure to adopt remote

Uber's new remote work policy looks very flexible, especially compared to their original announcement. However, it seems to be a reactionary move rather than a proactive one, primarily influenced by the recent announcements by large tech companies and employees worldwide voicing their opinion against going back to office.

While Facebook had announced in early 2020 that 50% of their workforce will eventually work remotely, Zuckerberg recently announced that they may end up embracing full remote.

Similarly, Google adopted a very flexible approach to working, giving employees the choice to decide when & how they want to work remotely.

Uber seems to have followed suit and changed its outlook towards remote working.

All said and done, I am not complaining about this move by Uber. In fact, it's a great positive step towards a superior form of working.

The domino effect is already in motion and we'll have to wait & see how fast other companies follow suit as well.