Spotify says forcing a return to work is treating employees “like children”

“Work is not a place you come to, it’s something you do.”

Affirming words from Spotify’s Chief HR Officer, Katarina Berg, as the music streaming company pledges to keep its popular work-from-home policy. Spotify, which has been digital from birth, has likened forcing employees back to the office to treating them “like children”, with Berg adding, “Why shouldn’t we give our people flexibility and freedom?”

Spotify’s decision to continue with flexible work comes amid fresh demands from other tech giants to get employees back into the office full-time. Earlier this month, Dell’s sudden 5-day return to office mandate left employees scrambling to find childcare. And Amazon - who has long attempted to erase remote work wherever possible from its business - has now doubled down with a 5-day mandatory in-office policy.

So, why has Spotify taken this line, when so many others are pushing for a widespread return to in-person work?

Spotify knows that remote and hybrid work makes for happier employees

It’s no secret that Spotify’s pledge to retain a flexible work policy is linked to the company’s recent layoffs. Spotify let go of 1,500 members of staff last December, its biggest-ever round of layoffs. The company naturally had a job to do to increase morale among its remaining employees. And what makes employees happy? Flexible work.

The fact is that remote and hybrid ways of working are still immensely popular among the world’s talent pool. Research has shown that a staggering 77% of workers are more likely to leave a company if they’re not offered some level of freedom to choose where they work, and that attitudes towards hybrid work are becoming increasingly positive, with 29% saying they preferred a hybrid work model in 2024, up from 25% the previous year.

Tech leaders need to learn how to trust

No matter the reasoning from the Amazons and Dells of the world - whether it’s productivity, collaboration, or company culture - Spotify has a point about infantilizing employees by forcing them into an office 5 days a week. Employees must be allowed to make their own decisions about where and when they do their best work. For every team member who enjoys remote work, there’s usually another who prefers the office. So why force anyone’s hand?

Online, many have been speculating that some of these companies are using mandatory returns to the office to force resignations—allowing them to reduce their headcounts without the financial burden of official layoffs, or excessive brand damage. If this is the case, however, it’s hardly a win for brand recognition.

After all, company culture is far more likely to thrive when employees are given autonomy over their work-life balance. Forcing begrudging employees back to the office every day - some of whom have to travel hours to get there, organize expensive childcare, or struggle against physical or mental disabilities to do it - is hardly going to improve attitudes.

It’s refreshing to see a tech giant like Spotify understand the nuances of flexible work. By putting the wellbeing and choices of its employees at the forefront of business, it’s better able to weather the inevitable disruptions that come with running a business. Those that refuse to follow suit? Well, the results speak for themselves.

At Remotify, we believe that the best workplaces are flexible workplaces. We’ve helped countless companies transition from mandatory office hours to a more flexible approach, handling the complex details on your behalf. Want to find out more about how we do it? Book a call with a member of our friendly team today.