British Company Nothing to Switch from Remote Work to Five-Day Office Workweek

TapTechNews August 21st, Carl Pei, the CEO of British tech company Nothing, announced that the company will switch from a completely remote work model to a five-day office workweek. Pei stated in an internal email that remote work is not compatible with the company's ambition and rapid development.

Pei pointed out that the remote work model was the only viable option during the pandemic, but as the pandemic situation improved, Nothing gradually shifted to a hybrid work model and achieved a completely office-based work system in offices outside the London headquarters. Now, the company is also converting the office model at the London headquarters to a completely office-based system.

Pei believes that the hybrid and remote work models are not suitable for Nothing's business, mainly for three reasons: As a company that produces physical products, the design, engineering, manufacturing, and quality departments need to cooperate closely. Innovation and creativity are the keys for Nothing to compete with larger companies, and these aspects are difficult to achieve in the remote work model. Remote work is not compatible with Nothing's goal of becoming a leading company and rapid development.

Pei wrote in the email: We know this model may not be for everyone, that's okay, we should look for a mutually suitable partnership. You should find an environment where you can thrive, and we need to find those who are willing to go through the next few decades with us. In fact, Pei is telling employees that if they are not willing or unable to work in the office five days a week, they should resign.

Pei's wording is reminiscent of a similar message sent by Amazon CEO Andy Jassy last year, when Jassy told employees who were unwilling to return to the office: This may not be for you.

TapTechNews noticed that Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, recently blamed the company's hybrid work policy for Google's lag behind OpenAI, although he later said he misspoke and regretted his mistake.