As the pandemic forced many to work from home, Grindr, the popular dating app for the LGBTQ+ community, saw a significant expansion of remote work. However, the company recently informed its employees that they must return to the office at least twice weekly. While some employees were OK with this, others were not, leading to nearly half of the workforce quitting. The situation was reported by The New York Post.
Grindr’s management had allowed employees to return to the office for two days or leave the company. Surprisingly, approximately 80 employees, or about 45% of Grindr’s workforce, chose to leave. As a result, only half of the company’s employees will return to the office next month.
Other companies have also made similar decisions. For example, Zoom, the video conferencing program that became synonymous with remote work during the pandemic, has also required employees to return to the office.
Interestingly, working from home is becoming more common in different parts of the world, including the Czech Republic. However, a Stanford University survey shows it is more common in English-speaking countries than in Europe and Asia. In the United States, for example, only 12% of employees worked from home in July. Many companies implement a hybrid working model combining partial remote work with regular office visits.
While Grindr does not fear the loss of employees, other employees blame Grindr for the pressure to return to the office, claiming it is retaliation for their decision to join a union.
The situation highlights the challenges companies face as they transition back to in-person work after a prolonged period of remote work. As companies develop plans for returning to the office, it is crucial to consider the needs and desires of employees to maintain a happy and productive workforce.