The CEO and co-founder of Airbnb, Brian Chesky, recently highlighted that it is often those executives with the most flexibility who are calling their employees back to the office, while they themselves enjoy the summer in the Hamptons or travel to Europe. Chesky has a vested interest in encouraging remote work, given that monthly stays account for one-fifth of Airbnb’s business and are one of the fastest-growing segments.
Executives at senior levels generally have more flexibility in terms of where and when they work. In March 2023, 43% of managers worked in a hybrid arrangement, compared to only 18% of non-managers. Conversely, 45% of managers were expected to report on-site full-time, while 62% of non-managers were expected to do so. According to some executive search firms, as many as 75% of their current openings are hybrid, up from 25% before the pandemic.
Chesky has been a vocal proponent of flexible work, announcing in April 2022 that Airbnb employees could “live and work anywhere.” This move led to a surge of over 800,000 people visiting its career page. Chesky has since reiterated his support for flexible work, claiming that businesses that do not embrace it are at a disadvantage. However, he also acknowledges the importance of some in-person interaction and advocates for a balance between remote and in-person work.
Chesky’s viewpoint is confirmed by studies that shows flexibility is an important aspect in recruiting and maintaining talent. According to a PwC poll, 72% of employees want to work remotely at least two days a week, and 32% want to work remotely full-time. According to a Harvard Business Review research, remote employees are more productive and satisfied with their jobs.
While the epidemic has hastened the trend toward flexible employment, the notion is not new. Companies like Buffer, Automattic, and GitLab have been using a completely remote or hybrid model for years, proving that it is feasible to establish a profitable business while allowing workers to work from anywhere.
To summarize, while some CEOs may advocate for a return to the office, the trend toward flexible employment is unlikely to reverse. Chesky believes that allowing for a combination of in-person and remote work, as well as flexibility in how and where workers work, may be the most successful method. This strategy will not only recruit and retain people, but will also result in increased production and work happiness.
