Facebook is allowing its employees to apply for permanent work-from-home or remote working roles, with approval from their superiors or managers. The social- media firm says the shift to remote work has nothing to do with cost cutting. At the same time, it has also indicated those working remotely may receive lesser pay, depending on their location.
The social media giant is sure that remote working will be the preferred mode in the future. This does not come as a surprise since Mark Zuckerberg, CEO, Facebook, had hinted last year that he saw 50 per cent of the Company’s workforce working remotely in the next five to 10 years.
The firm pays its employees based on the cost of labour in the local market. With remote workers working from different locations, there is bound to be some variability depending on the local market.
In the past Facebook had announced a WFH arrangement for its employees until June 2021. However, now, Brynn Harrington, vice president – HR, Facebook, has revealed that Facebook employees have really taken to remote working and actually prefer this mode of work. Many parents have been able to take advantage of this opportunity to spend more time with their children and are happy to avoid the hassles of commuting to work. Many have been able to use the commuting time more productively for official work, and therefore, are willing to continue with this arrangement.
However, not all employees are willing to continue with the WFH arrangement. There are many who are finding it challenging to balance work and taking care of elderlies or children. Those sharing apartments with roommates are not finding this easy either and are naturally looking forward to returning to working from office. For such employees, Facebook is trying its best to reopen as soon as the situation is safe for them to do so.
Meanwhile many tech companies are looking forward to bringing employees back to office, unlike Facebook. Others are looking at testing out hybrid options.
