Uber cancels all WFH approvals, CEO tells employees: ‘Simply meeting expectations no longer suffice’ –

Dara Khosrowshahi emphasized that simply meeting expectations will no longer suffice as the company pushes for higher performance standards.

The rideshare and delivery giant’s decision, first reported by CNBC, affects thousands of employees worldwide who had been operating under approved remote work arrangements. Industry analysts view this move as part of a broader trend of tech companies reversing pandemic-era flexibility.

The mandate comes amid increasing pressure on tech companies to boost productivity and efficiency in a challenging economic environment. Uber joins other major tech firms like Amazon, Google, and Meta that have similarly tightened their remote work policies in recent months.

Employees with previously approved work-from-home arrangements must now request new accommodations or prepare to return to in-person work at Uber facilities. The company has set a deadline of June 30 for full compliance with the new policy.

Uber CEO’s letter to employees

In his communication to staff, Khosrowshahi wrote:

“We need to raise our standards across the board. The bar has been raised, and ‘good’ is simply not going to be good enough moving forward. Our most productive collaborations happen when we’re physically together.

Starting July 1, all previous work-from-home arrangements will be nullified. I understand this represents a significant change for many of you, but our data clearly shows that in-person collaboration drives better results.

Those with exceptional circumstances may apply for new accommodations through HR, but approval criteria will be substantially more rigorous. We expect the vast majority of our team to be in the office full-time.

This isn’t just about productivity metrics—it’s about building the culture that will drive Uber’s next phase of growth. The energy of our offices cannot be replicated through screens, and that energy translates directly to our customer experience.”

The company has indicated it will consider individual circumstances on a case-by-case basis, though executives have signaled that approvals will be rare.

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