Nothing CEO ends hybrid work, challenges dissenters

LONDON, ENGLAND — The CEO of the British smartphone startup Nothing, Carl Pei, has announced that the company will end its hybrid work arrangement and transition to a fully in-office setup starting in October.
“I know this is a controversial decision that may not be a fit for everyone, and there are definitely companies out there that thrive in remote or hybrid setups. But that’s not right for our type of business, and won’t help us fully realize our potential as a company,” he said in an email shared on the social platform X.
“Remote work is not compatible with a high ambition level plus high speed.”
He emphasized the company’s goal to become a “generation-defining” force in the industry.
Last Friday, we made an important decision to work 5 days a week in-office in London.
This is the email I sent to everyone on the @nothing team.
—————
We’ve come a long way in a short space of time. We are the only company to have established a smartphone business in the last…
— Carl Pei (@getpeid) August 19, 2024
Encouraging employees to seek compatible work environments
The CEO’s message was unequivocal: employees who aren’t on board with this change should consider seeking opportunities elsewhere.
“We know it’s not the right type of setup for everybody, and that’s OK,” Pei acknowledged.
“You should find an environment where you thrive, and we need to find people who want to go the full mile with us in the decades ahead.”
Tech industry’s struggle with remote work
This directive mirrors a broader trend in the tech industry where companies are reevaluating the efficacy of remote work.
High-profile tech leaders and companies, including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and firms like Dell and Amazon, have similarly questioned the productivity outcomes of remote arrangements and have made moves to bring workers back to the office. Schmidt, though, later retracted his statement.
As Nothing prepares for this significant shift, the tech world watches closely. The company’s approach may set a precedent for other startups aiming to make their mark in highly competitive markets.