Uber has informed employees of significant changes to its workplace policy, including a stricter in-office attendance requirement and adjustments to employee benefits. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi shared the news in a company-wide memo, stating that the company is entering a new phase focused on speed, collaboration, and higher performance standards. The new policy mandates that employees must now work from the office three days a week—Tuesday through Thursday—beginning in June, even for those who were previously granted remote work approval.
The updated policy marks a departure from the earlier model introduced in 2022, where Tuesdays and Thursdays served as “anchor days” with only partial in-office requirements. Khosrowshahi emphasized that the move is driven by the belief that office presence accelerates collaboration, creativity, and operational efficiency. The decision follows a comprehensive review of remote work approvals, resulting in many remote employees being asked to return to a physical office. The company also announced it will limit new remote job postings moving forward.
Uber is also revising its sabbatical program. Previously, employees were eligible for a one-month paid sabbatical after five years of service. That eligibility threshold has now been raised to eight years. Khosrowshahi explained that the program was designed during a different era at Uber—when five years of tenure was a rare achievement and when most employees were consistently present in the office. He noted that, since then, the company has introduced its “Work from Anywhere” benefit and matured significantly as an organization.
In the memo, Khosrowshahi underscored the leadership team’s consensus that being physically present in the workplace enhances team cohesion and overall company velocity. Uber’s leadership also plans to monitor attendance at both individual and team levels to ensure compliance with the new policy.
The announcement triggered immediate reactions on Uber’s internal employee forum, where staff expressed concern, particularly about the sudden sabbatical policy change. Some argued that the company should honor its original commitments for those approaching the five-year mark. One employee commented that the policy shift felt out of alignment with the company’s stated values about treating employees fairly.
To address employee concerns, Khosrowshahi and Chief People Officer Nikki Krishnamurthy will hold an all-hands meeting to discuss the changes and answer questions directly. The move aligns with broader industry trends, where tech firms are reevaluating remote work and cost structures in the wake of post-pandemic adjustments.
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