Video teleconferencing company Zoom is planning to adopt a hybrid approach as its employees return to the workplace.
The company said its Zoom platform will enable a strategic mix of remote and in-office work for its staff. The platform includes features like Zoom Rooms Smart Gallery, which the company says is designed to create an inclusive experience for in-person and remote workers.
According to Zoom, it has consistently been engaging with employees concerning plans to return back to the office, regularly updating them during bi-weekly all-hands meetings, to create a safe space for them to express any concerns regarding potential plans.
In addition, an internal poll found that only 1% of Zoom users say they want to return to working in an office full-time, while over half prefer a hybrid environment.
Zoom also suggests it won’t rush reopening its offices and does not plan to open any of them until it is possible to do so without personal protective equipment and social distancing.
The company briefly reopened its offices but then temporarily closed them due to an rise of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) cases in the area.
“There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to returning to the office, and we’re listening to our employees to understand their concerns and help guide our plans,” said Kelly Steckelberg, chief financial officer at Zoom.
“Any decision we make at Zoom ladders into one goal: maintaining a mutual sense of trust between leadership and employees, as higher trust leads to a happier, more productive workforce. We’re carefully listening and learning, but ultimately, our office reopenings will be one component of a flexible, hybrid approach,” she added.
