Amazon, Apple, Google, or even Meta to name only the most emblematic. Many large companies have decided to backtrack on teleworking. After strongly encouraging this method of organization at the heart of the pandemic, some managers are now forcing their employees to return to the office. Far from following this trend, Spotify intends on the contrary to give its employees complete freedom on this point.
“Employees are not children”
Quoted by Fortune, Katarina Berg, director of human resources at the company, is very clear on this subject:
You can’t spend a lot of time hiring adults and then treat them like children. We are a company that has been digital since its birth, so why shouldn’t we offer our employees flexibility and freedom? Work is not a place you come to, it is something you do.
However, the manager recognizes some difficulties linked to remote working:
It’s more difficult, and we all struggle to collaborate in a virtual environment. But does that mean we’re going to start forcing people into the office as soon as the trend hits? No.
To convince its employees to return to the site more, the company instead uses carrots. For example, she organizes “listening lounges” where pop stars are present. Staff are also encouraged to return to the office as part of a special week where strategy discussions are held.
A value promoted for a long time at Spotify
Note that teleworking has always been popular at Spotify. Moreover, since February 2021, the streaming giant Spotify has applied the “Work From Anywhere” policy. This system allows the company’s employees to work remotely, on site, or in a hybrid form. The company also helps its employees adapt to teleworking or pays for subscriptions in coworking spaces if necessary.
Of course, all is not rosy within the Swedish streaming platform. Remember, for example, that the company announced a plan to lay off 1,500 employees in December 2023, or 17% of its workforce.
What to remember:
- After encouraging teleworking, many large companies are forcing their employees to return to the office
- This is not the case for Spotify which prefers to give freedom to its teams
- To encourage them to come back on site a little more, the company uses innovative strategies
