The recent decision by GRAB to implement a 100% return-to-office (RTO) policy by 2nd December raises interesting questions.
GRAB’s move looks to be part of a larger trend where several tech giants are actively mandating employees back to physical workspaces, re-igniting discussions about the role of office space in fostering collaboration, productivity, and culture in the tech world.
While many suggest that RTO mandates may be used to create natural attrition, reducing headcount without direct redundancies, the larger trend in the industry suggests a more nuanced approach. With similar moves by tech giants like Apple, Google, and Amazon, GRAB’s RTO mandate appears to be a strategic decision shaped by broader industry shifts and a renewed emphasis on in-person work for team culture and cohesion.
Let’s consider the possible reasons behind GRAB’s RTO decision, whether it is influenced by global tech trends, and what it means for the company’s employees and workplace culture.
Following the Lead of Global Tech Giants
For much of the global tech industry, hybrid and remote work models became the standard during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as workplaces adjusted to the new normal, major tech players began re-evaluating the role of physical offices in their organisational structures.
GRAB’s move mirrors the decisions of some of the world’s biggest tech companies, many of which are recalibrating their approaches to balancing remote and in-office work. Here are a few key examples:
- Apple: One of the most prominent examples of tech firms mandating RTO is Apple. After months of flexibility, Apple mandated a three-day in-office workweek. This decision came despite some initial resistance from employees who preferred a remote setup. Apple justified the policy by highlighting the role of in-person collaboration in fostering creativity, innovation, and culture – aspects that are critical in a tech setting. Despite initial pushback, Apple’s steady implementation of RTO demonstrates the company’s commitment to a structure that blends flexibility with the benefits of team proximity.
- Google: Google introduced a similar three-day-per-week RTO policy, emphasising that the hybrid approach is essential to drive productivity and culture. Google’s decision highlights a belief that while remote work allows flexibility, in-office time is vital for sustaining the collaborative energy Google is known for. Google’s experience shows that mandating RTO may lead to some attrition, but the company has been able to mitigate this by fostering a dynamic work environment that entices employees to return willingly.
- Amazon: In early 2023, Amazon joined the RTO movement by requiring its corporate employees to work from the office at least three days a week. While Amazon has faced its own set of challenges, including employee petitions against the mandate, it has stuck to the policy, underlining the importance of RTO to maintain its innovation pipeline and team cohesion. Amazon’s approach to RTO reinforces the importance of structured office time, especially for cross-functional teams and complex projects.
These examples reveal that GRAB is not alone in its decision to mandate RTO. Instead, it is part of a larger trend among tech giants that see a balanced, in-office presence as essential to productivity and maintaining a vibrant company culture.
Is RTO a Strategy for Natural Attrition?
One theory circulating around RTO mandates is that companies may be using them as a tool for “natural attrition.” With many workers having become accustomed to the flexibility of remote work, the imposition of a strict RTO mandate might lead some employees to voluntarily leave their positions, especially if their values align more closely with remote work.
This theory suggests that by enforcing RTO, companies can organically downsize or refresh their workforce without direct redundancies, which can be costly and impact company morale.
However, while some companies may experience attrition due to RTO, many are not pursuing this approach as a direct strategy. Large tech firms, in particular, invest heavily in attracting and retaining talent, and they may view RTO more as a recalibration to restore in-person collaboration, creativity, and productivity.
For GRAB, following suit with the RTO policies of tech peers may reflect less of an effort to encourage attrition and more of a genuine belief that in-person work will strengthen the company’s long-term success.
RTO as a Strategy to Rebuild Company Culture
A significant driving force behind the RTO mandates seen across the tech industry is the desire to rebuild and reinforce company culture. Remote work has allowed employees the flexibility to balance work with personal life, but companies have found that this shift comes with its own set of challenges. In particular, sustaining a cohesive company culture, especially one that fosters innovation and collaboration, has proven difficult when teams are dispersed.
For GRAB, the RTO mandate is likely about more than just seeing employees in seats; it represents an opportunity to reinforce a workplace culture rooted in the collaborative nature of Southeast Asia’s fast-paced tech scene. By bringing employees back to the office, GRAB can revive its in-office dynamics, enabling team members to interact face-to-face, fostering informal mentorship, and nurturing innovation that thrives on spontaneous discussions.
With competitors doing the same, GRAB’s leadership may see this as a timely opportunity to re-establish a sense of community and shared purpose.
Repositioning Office Space as a Strategic Advantage
The global shift towards RTO highlights the role of office space as more than just a location for work; it becomes a space strategically designed to foster interaction, innovation, and growth.
Tech firms like Google and Apple are known for investing in dynamic office spaces with amenities that make the work environment enjoyable and conducive to creativity. This shift is gradually reshaping employee expectations in tech, with the office becoming an extension of a company’s brand and values.
For GRAB, the RTO mandate could be an opportunity to reposition its office spaces as strategic assets that enhance employee experience. It will be essential to continue focusing on incorporating strategic and thoughtful workplace planning and design to make the transition smoother for employees who are adjusting back to in-office routines. Such changes could transform GRAB’s offices from traditional workspaces into hubs of innovation that employees are excited to visit, rather than places they’re obliged to be.
The Impact on Talent Acquisition and Retention in Asia
While the global tech firms have largely led the RTO trend, their Southeast Asian counterparts are observing and adapting these approaches within a regional context. For a company like GRAB, based in Singapore and embedded in Asia’s dynamic tech ecosystem, RTO might serve as both a recruitment and retention strategy. Southeast Asia has a unique work culture, and while remote work has gained popularity, there remains a strong preference for in-person interactions, especially in tech.
Implementing an RTO mandate, therefore, aligns with both regional norms and the broader industry trend, positioning GRAB as an employer that values a balanced approach to work. And as RTO becomes more common in tech, potential employees may view in-office work as the standard, diminishing the risk that GRAB’s RTO mandate will deter prospective hires. Instead, it could attract candidates who value face-to-face collaboration and see GRAB’s mandate as a signal of stability and structure, which is particularly appealing in an evolving job market.
Looking Ahead: What GRAB’s Move Means for Southeast Asia’s Tech Workforce
The broader implications of GRAB’s decision to mandate RTO extend beyond the company itself; it signals a potential shift in how Southeast Asia’s tech sector approaches the future of work. While remote work remains an option for many companies, the tech industry’s gradual return to office spaces is indicative of a belief that physical work environments offer unique benefits that cannot be fully replicated online.
For Southeast Asia, where rapid growth and competition in tech are driving companies to innovate constantly, the trend towards RTO might represent a balance between flexibility and stability. Companies like GRAB are showing that while remote work has its advantages, in-office collaboration is invaluable, especially in a region where teamwork and relationship-building are central to business culture. GRAB’s example may prompt other companies in the region to reconsider their hybrid policies, potentially setting a standard for RTO that aligns with both global trends and regional work culture.
GRAB’s RTO mandate is just part of a larger trend among global tech firms to bring employees back to the office, but it also reflects the unique dynamics of Southeast Asia’s tech ecosystem. While some argue that RTO could be used to create natural attrition, evidence from other tech giants suggests that RTO is more about strengthening company culture, enhancing collaboration, and positioning office space as a strategic asset.
For GRAB, the move aligns with global industry standards and may serve as a way to foster a cohesive and innovative workplace culture. As the company and its employees transition back to the office, GRAB’s decision may very well set the stage for a broader regional shift towards structured, in-office work in Southeast Asia’s tech sector.
