As companies navigate the evolving landscape of workplace arrangements in a post-pandemic world, Return to Office (RTO) policies have become a focal point in shaping company culture and employee satisfaction. Here, we’ll explore the RTO strategies of three major players in the tech industry: Amazon, Apple, and Zapier, highlighting their approaches, advantages, and drawbacks.
Amazon | Fully In-Office Model
Amazon recently announced a full-time return to the office mandate, requiring employees to be present five days a week starting January. This marks a significant shift from their previous hybrid model that allowed employees to work in the office three days a week and take two days from home.
Amazon’s strict policy aims to restore important interpersonal communication and collaboration among colleagues. By bringing employees back together in a physical space, the company seeks to promote a culture of teamwork and strengthen relationships within teams.
However, this rigidity has its downsides. The loss of a hybrid schedule can hinder employees’ ability to maintain a healthy work-life balance, especially for those with family commitments or long commutes. Some Amazon employees have voiced concerns about the new policy, suggesting it may lead to large numbers of workers leaving the company for more flexibility.
Apple | Structured Hybrid Model
In contrast to Amazon’s fully in-office approach, Apple has adopted a more flexible hybrid model since August 2022. Employees are required to work in the office at least three days a week, typically on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, with Wednesdays and Fridays designated as optional remote days.
This hybrid structure strikes a balance between in-person collaboration and the flexibility of remote work. Apple CEO Tim Cook emphasized that this approach is designed to restore “in-person collaboration,” fostering face-to-face communication while still accommodating employees' commuting needs.
Zapier | Fully Remote Model
Zapier, a software company that provides integrations for web applications for use in automated workflows, has been a fully remote organization since its inception. Their policy is a fully remote team with mobility support, allowing employees to manage their own schedules and work arrangements. In 2023, Zapier announced its global mobility policy, which essentially ensures that if employees decide to relocate or work in another time zone, the company will continue to support them and asynchronous communication.
The fully remote working model that Zapier employs gives employees almost complete flexibility over their work-life balance. This is a great benefit to those who prioritize work-life balance, have moved away/relocated during the pandemic, have family commitments, etc. It also allows the company to reduce costs and overheads associated with maintaining and providing extensive office space.
The downside of a fully remote working arrangement is that collaboration and teamwork can become difficult amongst employees. When lacking an in-person, face to face component; employees can feel disconnected from their colleagues and struggle when it comes to doing collaborative work.
Comparative Analysis of RTO Models
Flexibility vs. Structure
Each company’s policy reflects a different philosophy regarding flexibility in work arrangements. Amazon's strict mandate prioritizes in-office presence, while Apple's hybrid model offers a compromise. Zapier, in contrast, emphasizes flexibility as a core value, allowing employees to work when and where they choose.
The trend of employees preferring hybrid or remote working models is largely due to their desire for increased flexibility and work-life balance. According to a study done by the International Workplace Group (IWG), 86% of surveyed workers say that a hybrid work schedule has improved their work life balance and helped them feel they could cope better with the challenges of daily life. However, within flexibility there must also exist structure; balancing these two important factors is a big challenge for companies today regarding RTO policies.
Collaboration and Communication
The role of in-person interactions cannot be underestimated when it comes to fostering team dynamics. Amazon and Apple provide structured environments that support collaboration, while Zapier’s remote setup presents unique challenges in maintaining strong team connections.
A large drawback of a fully remote working environment is that often, employees struggle to collaborate and connect with their peers. According to a Glassdoor study, 48% of employees surveyed stated they struggle to connect with their coworkers in a hybrid environment. Maintaining high levels of collaboration and effective communication is the biggest challenge for companies when it comes to navigating a remote work model; which is why many opt for the in-between hybrid model.
Employee Morale and Retention
RTO policies significantly impact employee satisfaction and retention rates. Amazon’s strict approach has prompted some employees to reconsider their positions, while Apple’s hybrid model has generally been met with more favorable feedback. Meanwhile, Zapier’s fully remote work structure has attracted talent seeking flexibility.
The general consensus of the workforce is that employees prefer hybrid or remote work; according to an Accenture survey of 9000 workers, 83% prefer a hybrid or remote work model. On top of this, many believe themselves to be more productive and motivated under a hybrid work schedule; according to a Pew Research study, 55% of employees claim they prefer to work from home for at least three days per week.
Productivity
The driving force behind the push to return to office for many companies is productivity; many leaders believe that bringing employees back into the workplace full time will increase overall company productivity. However, many studies show that hybrid and remote-flexible working styles actually increase productivity; despite what many corporate leaders think.
According to a McKinsey & Company survey, 58% of employers reported increased productivity among their employees with hybrid work. A survey conducted by the International Workplace Group (IWG) found that about three in four hybrid workers felt they were more productive (74%) and more motivated (76%) because of splitting their time in office during the week. Generally, hybrid workers (who split their time between office and home) are found to be about as or more productive than full time office workers. According to a Stanford publication, The Evolution of Working from Home, fully remote work is associated with about 10% lower productivity than fully in person work. This data suggests that the happy medium within working environments is a hybrid work model, as studies show that workers tend to be most productive and satisfied, (adding to their productivity), when splitting their time in office and at home.
Final Thoughts
The landscape of workplace arrangements is rapidly changing, and the RTO policies adopted by Amazon, Apple, and Zapier offer valuable insights into the different approaches organizations can take. While some employees thrive in a strict in-office environment, others prefer the flexibility of remote work. As companies move forward, they must consider the unique needs of their workforce to create an environment that promotes both productivity and employee well-being.
Authored by Isabella DeLeo
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