Big Read

The great return: Big Tech firms wave goodbye to fully remote working

Multinationals are tightening up flexible work policies brought in during pandemic and asking employees to come back to the office more regularly

Google, Meta, Indeed and Salesforce – all of which have a large footprint in Ireland – have, with varying degrees of stringency, made their flexible work policies less flexible in recent months. Picture: Anadolu Agency

In June 2021, Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg sent a signal to the world about the future of remote work.

The Facebook founder said his company had learned during the pandemic that “good work can get done anywhere”.

Two years later, Meta, along with other Big Tech firms, have altered their thinking dramatically.

These businesses, pioneers of remote working during the pandemic, are increasingly intent on bringing their staff back to the office.

Google, Meta, ...