Airbnb Introduces Guidelines To Help Employees Work Productively From Anywhere

Three years into the pandemic, many of us have become accustomed to a much shorter work commute from our bedrooms to the living room. 

Now, as corporations such as Apple and Google move employees back into offices, Airbnb has taken a decidedly dissimilar route, instating new regulations that will allow its workers to live and work from anywhere. 

To facilitate this change, CEO Brian Chesky sent a email to all of the company’s employees across the globe, highlighting five rules that will allow the flexibility of remote working to help workers be happier and more productive. 

1. “You can work from home or the office.”

Firstly, Chesky highlighted that Airbnb staff can decided for themselves if to work from home or the office, with only a handful of roles being required to be in the office or at a specific location full-time. 

2. “You can move anywhere in the country you work in and your compensation won’t change.”

In addition to being able to work from the comfort of home, workers will be able to move anywhere in the country in which they’re currently employed, without any change to their compensation. 

The firm will be moving to a single-pay tier by country for both salary and equity starting in June, so those who were once paid less due to location will receive an increase to match others in the same nation.

3. “You have the flexibility to travel and work around the world.”

While the email noted that permanent international moves were much more complex, and hence wouldn’t be supported at the moment, employees are still allowed to travel and work from over 170 countries around the world if they so wish. 

4. “We’ll meet up regularly for team gatherings, off-sites, and social events.

Notably, in order to forge a spirit of community and minimize isolation during remote work, staff will be asked to attend regular team meetings and social events so there’ll be ample opportunities for teams to spend time together in a face-to-face setting.

5. “We’ll continue to work in a highly coordinated way.”

Of course, as Chesky noted in his fifth and final point, pulling off such a flexible remote-working schedule requires “ample structure and coordination,” which will be structured around the company’s two major product releases per year, the first in May and another in November. 

“I’ve always believed that you design the culture you want, or it will be designed for you. I’m excited about this new design and giving you the flexibility to live and work anywhere,” summed up Chesky. 

“I think it will unlock some amazing creativity and innovation—and make working here really fun.” 

[via Quartz and Airbnb, cover image via Kaspars Grinvalds | Dreamstime.com]