Just in: starting today (Thursday) remote work is not an option at Twitter: all employees are expected to be 40 hours in the office. Only exceptions are for those physically unable to travel to an office or exceptions signed off by Elon.
Why the sudden change? My take:
Why the sudden change? My take:
As context, Twitter announced “WFH forever” in 2020. Lots of its workforce joined with the understanding that it’s a full-remote job.
Announcing a sudden return to the office will be unfeasable for many. I think it’s done for two reasons:
washingtonpost.com/technology/202…
Announcing a sudden return to the office will be unfeasable for many. I think it’s done for two reasons:
washingtonpost.com/technology/202…
1. Because it’s how Elons other companies run. It’s his philosophy. Twitter clearly is becoming similar to eg Tesla or SpaceX in working culture.
2. To further increase voluntary attrition. This one is surprising and would suggest Elon expects to be able to just hire instead.
2. To further increase voluntary attrition. This one is surprising and would suggest Elon expects to be able to just hire instead.
3. To set expectations at “new Twitter”. The email telling people what will change from Thursday was sent out late Wednesday (just before midnight). At New Twitter, expect things to change last minute and get with it.
Ironically, in Europe, it’s already Thursday working hours.
Ironically, in Europe, it’s already Thursday working hours.
The ignorance on Europe is especially telling. People got this email after starting their working day - working remote. They cannot reach managers to clarify if this applies for today: most managers are in the US, unreachable (they also need sleep!).
Also, at New Twitter, location seems to matter more. Many newly appointed managers - and managers who got to stay managers - are now in San Francisco, the headquarters.
With no WFH, location will become important. Those based in HQ should have more and better career options.
With no WFH, location will become important. Those based in HQ should have more and better career options.
It feels to me, we’ll see a polarisation of tech companies in groups of:
1. Hybrid work. 1-3 days in the office/week
2. Office only. Like Twitter, Tesla and others that might follow
3. Full remote. Lots of smaller startups and a few larger companies (Automattic, GitLab etc)
1. Hybrid work. 1-3 days in the office/week
2. Office only. Like Twitter, Tesla and others that might follow
3. Full remote. Lots of smaller startups and a few larger companies (Automattic, GitLab etc)
Interesting to see where Big Tech is landing. They’re all going towards hybrid, with varying level of enforcing office days: Apple the most strict here, Amazon and Meta very loose. Interesting enough, Meta mentioned cutting lease costs and introducing eg desk sharing.
Update: a legal employee wrote on Twitter's internal Slack how they do not personally believe that Twitter employees have an obligation to return to the office *on no notice*.
It's a fundamental change to employment contracts.
It's a fundamental change to employment contracts.
Update: HR has been caught completely off-guard by Musk's email, I am told. They are scrambling to put together a formal policy and communications, as there is none.
I don't envy that team at all.
I don't envy that team at all.
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