In a move that many have seen coming, Zoom Video Communications has told its employees that they will need to return to the office for work. The company, which became a household name during the COVID-19 pandemic, had been one of the most vocal proponents of remote work. However, in a recent memo to employees, CEO Eric Yuan said that it was time for the company to “refocus on the in-person experience.”

“We believe that the best way to build Zoom is to have our people together,” Yuan said. “We need to be able to collaborate and innovate face-to-face.”

The memo did not specify when employees would be required to return to the office, but Yuan said that it would be “in the coming months.” He also said that the company would be providing employees with “flexibility” to work from home on a limited basis.

The news of Zoom’s return-to-office policy has been met with mixed reactions. Some employees have expressed disappointment, while others have said that they are eager to return to the office.

“I’m really going to miss working from home,” said one employee who asked to remain anonymous. “I was able to get so much more done when I wasn’t constantly interrupted.”

Another employee said that they were looking forward to returning to the office. “I miss the social interaction,” they said. “I also miss being able to collaborate with my team in person.”

It remains to be seen how Zoom’s return-to-office policy will affect the company’s culture. The company has long been known for its casual atmosphere and its focus on remote work. However, it seems that Yuan is now convinced that the company needs to be more traditional in order to succeed.

Only time will tell whether Zoom’s return-to-office policy will be a success. However, it is clear that the company is betting on the future of in-person work.

About ZOOM Inc

Headquartered in San Jose, Zoom Video Communications offers video conferencing, online messaging, voice calls, conference rooms, virtual events, and contact centers through a cloud-based software platform. The company also provides an open platform for custom applications to be developed on its unified communications platform.

Eric Yuan, once a Cisco engineer and executive, founded Zoom in 2011. In 2013, they released their software, and subsequently experienced an alarmingly rapid expansion, further accelerated by the pandemic. By the end of 2020, their revenue had skyrocketed by 300% from the year before.

Featured Image Credit: Coolcaesar

 

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