Facebook Aims to Have Half of Employees Working Remotely Over Next Decade

Over the course of the next decade, Facebook aims to have half of its workforce working remotely, while others are extending their work-from-home policies.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in an interview with The Verge that he wants to continue embracing remote work, even after the coronavirus pandemic ends. Looking ahead, Zuckerberg said he expects 50 percent of the company’s employees to work from home over the next five to 10 years.

The Facebook CEO said that these initiatives will focus on experienced employees, rather than college graduates, who Zuckerberg thinks “need to be in the office more, for training.”

“We need to do this in a way that’s thoughtful and responsible so we’re going to do this in a measured way,” he said. “But I think it’s possible that over the next five to 10 years – maybe closer to 10 than five, but somewhere in that range – I think we could get to about half of the company working remotely permanently.”

The Facebook CEO explained the number by citing internal surveys that showed 40 percent of employees are extremely, very or somewhat interested in full-time remote work.

As a first step, the company will open most new US job postings to remote candidates. Facebook later this year will also start offering some existing employees the option to stop regularly coming into the office.

In addition to allowing people to work from anywhere they want, Facebook also hopes to create unofficial “hubs” of remote workers in a number of places — starting with Atlanta, Dallas and Denver.

But the way Facebook is approaching compensation became the subject of some controversy. Facebook has always based comp on location, Zuckerberg said, and will continue to do so. Employees have until January 1 to tell the company where they plan to live and work, and their pay will change accordingly.

Against the backdrop of Zuckerberg’s announcement, the social network also revealed that its Workplace by Facebook collaboration service has passed 5 million paid users.

“A world with fewer screens, where commuting means putting on or taking off a headset, and spending less time choosing between work and family,” reads a Facebook press release about the service. “It will empower people to work together in ways that aren’t possible today, leading to fresh ideas and new endeavors in entertainment, education, and beyond.”

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