image source, Getty Images
Bob Iger asked his employees to return to face-to-face work starting in March.
Work-from-home times are coming to an end for Disney employees.
The head of the American company, Bob Iger, notified those who are currently doing remote work that they will have to return to the office four days a week starting in early March.
Iger hopes that the so-called “hybrid” workers will consider the days “from Monday to Thursday as face-to-face work days.”
He argued that face-to-face collaboration is key to “a creative business” as is the entertainment company.
The announcement comes two months after Iger’s return to directing Disney.
“Nothing can replace the benefits of connecting, observing and creating alongside colleagues who are physically together, nor the opportunity to grow professionally by learning from leaders and mentors,” Iger said in a memo to employees, a copy of which was obtained by the BBC.
“I believe that working together more in person will benefit the creativity, culture and careers of our company employees,” he added.
Back to work
Like many other large companies, Disney has allowed employees to work from home during the pandemic to help slow the spread of covid-19.
Also in line with other major firms, Disney is now seeking to return its staff to its offices.
image source, Getty Images
Remote work became an alternative to stop covid-19 infections in the worst moments of the pandemic.
In recent months, companies like Snap, Tesla y Uber have announced similar changes to their work policies.
Since last September, also the employees of the technological giant Apple they must work three days a week in the company offices.
And in November, the billionaire Elon Musk ordered the staff Twitter to return to the office to work a 40-hour week, putting a permanent end to the company’s “work from anywhere” policy.
The decision by Musk, who bought the social media platform in a $44 billion deal, reportedly led to the resignation of a large number of employees after asking them to commit to working “long hours at high intensity” or otherwise they left.
Iger’s return
Disney’s board of directors hired Iger to lead a difficult period after its share price plunged and streaming service Disney+ posted heavy losses.
His return came less than a year after he retired from the company. He previously ran Disney for 15 years.
Iger replaced Bob Chapek, who took over as CEO in February 2020.
Chapek’s tenure as head of Disney included the closure of its theme parks due to pandemic restrictions.
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