It’s easy to look at the widespread and COVID-driven shift to remote work and the subsequent, post-COVID return-to-office (RTO) efforts by employers as a battle with clear divisions among key stakeholders. Employers want the perceived boost in productivity and greater collaboration that comes with on-site work. Employees want the flexibility and freedom that comes with remote work. Telecommunications technology companies want the profits that come with supporting a remote, dispersed workforce.
Zoom Pushing RTO
So, it might come as a surprise to hear that one of the biggest names in remote work tech—Zoom—has itself been pushing an RTO policy. Not only that, but the company also sees itself as an integral factor in both on-site and remote work.
“In August 2023, [Zoom] announced that workers living within 50 miles (80.5km) of a Zoom office must work in person at least twice a week,” writes Alex Christian in an article for BBC. “Yuan stressed the importance of in-office collaboration for fostering innovation and building employee trust.”
Part of Zoom’s change in strategy may have more than a little to do with the reality of widespread RTO policies among major employers. While companies like Zoom may be offering plenty of technology to facilitate a fully remote workforce, not all employers are accepting that model.
Zoom has taken note and is shifting its focus to physical workplaces. And, its own hybrid mandate comes at the same time that it opened a new modern office in London to house its more than 200 employees in the UK.
Beyond Video Calls
That workspace includes, says Christian, “an ‘Engagement Hub’ featuring 75 work points across library-style benches, agile tables, and hot desks bookable through Zoom’s reservation tool. The company has tried to market the office as ‘the blueprint’ for a modern workplace. A neighboring ‘Experience Centre’ that showcases its technology includes a ‘boardroom of the future,’ featuring cameras controlled by artificial intelligence (AI) and floor-to-ceiling curved-screen displays.”
Christian explains that Zoom wants to be known as more than just a video call company; “It wants to be regarded as a workplace company – and known for Zoom Workplace, its suite of collaborative tools.”
Lin Grensing-Pophal is a Contributing Editor at HR Daily Advisor.