When they returned to their offices, they were told to relax. Office time should be productive but also fun. Don't book back-to-back meetings.
Lizzo is one of the hottest pop stars in the country. The company is also planning pop-up events that will feature food and drink.
When the company gave them mouse pads with the image of a sad-eyed cat, they were reminded of what they were giving up. Underneath the pet was a plea: "You're not going to RTO, right?"
The abbreviation for return to office is R.T.O. Many companies were forced to abandon their office buildings because of Covid-19. The Pandemic proved that being in the office doesn't equal greater productivity, and some firms continued to thrive without meeting in person.
Many companies are eager to get their employees back to work after two years of video meetings and chats. The employees may not be so eager for a return to morning commute, communal bathroom and daytime outfits that are not athletic wear.
Tech companies with money to burn and offices to fill are rolling out the fun wagon, even as they make clear that returning to the office at least a few days a week is mandatory.
Lizzo will perform at an amphitheater near the company's headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. In February, when Microsoft reopened its offices in Redmond, employees were treated to music from local bands, beer and wine tasting, and even classes for making terrariums.
The chip maker held a happy hour at its San Diego offices for several thousand employees with free food, drink and T-shirts to mark its first official week back at the office. Pop-up snack stands, group fitness classes and Take a Break Tuesday are some of the weekly events the company has started.
Adam Galinsky, a professor at Columbia University, said that these celebrations and perks are a recognition by companies that employees don't want to come back to the office as frequently. The carrot over the stick is what companies are opting for at the moment, rather than punishing workers for staying home.
Billions of dollars were committed to build offices that were marvels of architecture and trophies of financial success before Covid struck. The gleaming offices, packed with amenities and perks, are a testament to the long-held belief that in-person collaboration is still better for fostering creativity, inspiring innovation and instilling a common sense of purpose.
The return to office for many employees who enjoyed working remotely is a time of dread. Few are interested in going back five days a week.
One of the most popular posts was a picture of a company cafeteria with a caption: "RTO is just bumping into each other and saying we must grab lunch soon."
Most workers want to return to the office two or three times a week, according to an economics professor at the university. One-third of people don't want to return to the office.
The average worker will save one hour a day if they eliminate the office commute.
Most employees were required to show up at the U.S. offices a few days a week after a number of postponements. Workers are expected to check in at the office once a week at first, as Apple started easing staff back to the office on Monday.
The vice president of real estate and workplace services at the company sent an email to San Francisco Bay Area employees saying the company wanted to make the return to office special.
For years, the company has provided employees with luxury buses to make their commute more productive and comfortable. It is starting a program to reimburse the cost of an electric scooter for its staff. To adapt to changing work styles, the company plans to start experimenting with different office designs.
When Microsoft employees returned to their offices in February as part of a hybrid work schedule, they were greeted with lawn games such as cornhole and life-size chess. There were classes for canvas painting. The pub was transformed into a garden.
Pizzas, sandwiches, and specialty coffees were free. Fried chicken, gyros, Korean food and barbecue are some of the offerings that Microsoft paid for.
Microsoft employees are expected to pay for their own food at the office. The employee marveled at how big of a draw the free food was.
The challenge for companies is how to balance flexibility in letting workers set their own schedule with a more heavy-handed approach of forcing them to come in on specific days to maximize the usefulness of office time.
He said companies should focus on developing the right approach to hybrid work instead of showering employees with inducements like private concerts.
Employees aren't going to come in regularly just for the frills. Is there a way to get both of them?
It was fitting that Apple's employees didn't expect any celebrations for returning to the office, nor did they know anything about it. Apple wants employees to come once a week. Apple requires them to come in on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday by late May.
More than 1,000 employees signed a letter urging management to be more open to flexible work arrangements when Apple announced its return-to-office plan last year. It was a rare show of dissent from the company's rank-and-file, who historically have been less willing to challenge executives on workplace matters.
Tech companies are trying to give employees more work flexibility, but they are also scaling back office perks.
Last month, Meta told employees that it was cutting back or eliminating free services. Some companies have said that they approve requests from thousands of employees to work remotely or transfer to a different office. If employees move to a less expensive location, they will see their pay cut.
The company won't force its employees back to the office. It held a party at its offices last week.
There was music that was upbeat. There was a balloon sculpture in bright blue, dark blue, coral and white that was perfect for selfies. One of the best-known workers wore a costume and gave tours of the facility. The company held a cupcake social.
To make its work spaces feel more like home, the company moved desks to the perimeter, which allowed Clions to look out at the office complex. The foosball table was upgraded so that you could have a meeting while playing foosball with your laptop on it.
The office in Burnaby is only half full. Employees were given lanyards with red, yellow and green on them to show their comfort with handshakes.
There were around 60 people in that Monday.
Karen Weise was involved in reporting.
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