In a memo sent to employees on Friday, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that the company will switch to a hybrid work model, with employees who have been working from home required to come into the office four days a week starting in March.
Iger explained that the company believes face-to-face collaboration is important for “a creative company like ours.”
Since many businesses have been embracing remote work as a way to cut costs and boost productivity and morale among employees, the announcement comes as a surprise.
But Iger believes being in the office is essential to fostering creativity and collaboration. He explained that the company invests heavily in technology and security measures to ensure the office is a safe and healthy environment for its employees.
Moving to a hybrid working model is a big shift for Disney, one of the companies that has embraced remote work in the wake of the pandemic.
Iger, however, is confident that things will go smoothly and that workers will welcome the chance to return to the office and work with their peers.
“Nothing can replace the ability to connect, observe, and create with peers that comes from being physically together, nor the opportunity to grow professionally by learning from leaders and mentors,” Iger stated in a memo to workers, according to the BBC.
“It is my belief that working together more in-person will benefit the company’s creativity, culture, and our employees’ careers.”
Pandemic Action
Disney, like many other big businesses, permitted its employees to work from home during the pandemic to aid in containing the spread of Covid-19.
This move was made in line with the widespread shift to remote work as a precautionary measure, as well as the government’s guidance for people to stay at home.
However, like other major firms, Disney has now moved to bring staff back into its offices in a hybrid work model.
This shift in policy is a sign that the company and many others believe that the pandemic’s end may be in sight, and that things are beginning to return to some sense of normalcy.
These recent changes in working policies by several major companies highlight a shift in the way that businesses are approaching remote work.
After over a year of many employees working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, companies are now reevaluating their policies and deciding that a hybrid approach, with a mix of in-office and remote work, is the way forward.
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Giants Agree with Iger
Apple, for example, is now requiring its employees to work in the office for three days a week. The company believes that this will foster collaboration and creativity among its team members, who will benefit from being in a physical work environment.
However, it is still allowing employees to work remotely for two days a week, acknowledging that remote work has its benefits such as flexibility and reduced commute times.
Similarly, Elon Musk’s decision to end Twitter’s permanent “work from anywhere” policy and bring staff back to the office for 40 hours a week has caused controversy.
The change reportedly led to large numbers of staff quitting, as they were not willing to work the longer hours required by the new policy. However, Musk has stated that the new policy is intended to improve communication and productivity among the staff.
Other Big Companies
On the other hand, companies like Uber and Snap have also announced changes to their remote working policies in recent months.
Uber has announced that it will give its employees the choice of working remotely, part-time or full-time, while Snap has announced that it will give its employees the option to work remotely permanently.
While these changes in working policies may be met with mixed reactions, they demonstrate a recognition by companies that the “one size fits all” approach to remote work is no longer viable.
Remote work has its benefits, but it also has its drawbacks. A hybrid approach, with a mix of in-office and remote work, may be the best way for companies to get the best of both worlds.
Therefore, the recent changes in working policies by major companies like Apple, Twitter, Uber and Snap, point towards the new reality that companies are realizing that the pandemic has altered the way work can be done.
A hybrid approach in which employees are given the option to work in-office and remotely, may be the way forward as it fosters better collaboration and productivity among team members while still allowing them to enjoy the benefits of working remotely.
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Away from Retirement
Iger, previously retired CEO of The Walt Disney Company, was brought back to lead the company through a difficult period.
The company’s share price had significantly dropped, and the Disney+ streaming service was still operating at a loss. This move came less than a year after Iger had retired from the company, where he had served as CEO for 15 years.
Iger’s return as CEO was made in replacement of Bob Chapek, who took over as chief executive in February 2020. Chapek’s tenure at the helm of Disney was marked by several significant challenges, including the shutdown of its theme parks because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The pandemic has created significant financial struggles for the entertainment giant, as well as for many other businesses in the industry.
Iger’s experience and leadership in navigating the company through tough times in the past made him the ideal candidate to lead the company through this current period of uncertainty.
His previous tenure as CEO was marked by several successful business decisions, including the acquisition of Lucasfilm and Marvel, and the launch of the Disney+ streaming service.
Under Iger’s leadership, the company will likely focus on finding ways to cut costs and increase revenues. This may include potentially closing underperforming properties and streamlining operations.
Iger may also consider expanding the company’s offerings, such as by developing new content for its streaming service or by expanding into new markets.
His return to Disney is a sign of the company’s determination to turn things around and to emerge from the current crisis stronger than ever before.
With his experience and leadership skills, Iger is well-equipped to steer the company through this difficult period, and position it for future growth and success.
Photo: CNBC
