This is Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi speaking directly to employees during an all-hands meeting. Given this insight, he specifically honed in on the company’s newly revamped in-office requirements and perks. The new policy increases the number of in-office days per week from two to three. This new change goes into effect this June. This news, announced on April 28, coincides with Uber’s efforts to increase population density within their headquarters and promote communication within their fast-growing staff.
Khosrowshahi was roundly denounced by advocates for the cuts. In his defense of the decision, he spelled out just how necessary it was for the company to move forward. He emphatically stated that the changes were not related to any cost-saving agenda. He underscored that they weren’t intended to push attrition out of the company.
None of that is planned. The business is operating really, really well. Good ain’t good enough for us. We need to be excellent as a business,” Khosrowshahi explained.
The push to bring employees back to the office more often is only one prong of a greater plan intended to boost worker productivity. In 2022, Uber announced Tuesdays and Thursdays were to be its employees’ “anchor days.” These thematic days were designed to foster intentional cross-organizational collaboration and teamwork. Employees have expressed concern about providing enough proper meeting/working space to handle the larger turnout.
Uber’s new Chief People Officer, Nikki Krishnamurthy, took a swing at addressing these concerns. In the email, she promised employees that the company is committed to meeting their needs. She noted that Uber is currently growing its commercial office footprint. They are expanding by adding 700,000 sq ft in their San Francisco Mission Bay and Seattle campuses. The retrofitting process is scheduled to wrap up in late 2026.
“That’s not O.K., and we will be speaking with the employees who made them,” Krishnamurthy stated regarding the concerns about workspace availability.
Khosrowshahi acknowledged the influx of questions about the policy changes during the meeting, noting that “the Slido essentially has been invaded by questions about the changes we’ve made.” He reiterated that while the company’s direction is focused on enhancing productivity, employees’ concerns regarding their workspace are valid and will be addressed.
On the ground employees have been divided on the new policy rollout. One employee commented, “How is five years of service not a tenured employee? Especially when burnout is rampant in the org.” This resentment is typical of a mood among staff who are tired and scared of the heightened expectations now being thrust upon them.
Khosrowshahi touted that Uber is a “Gen-AI powered company.” He challenges the workforce to keep raising the bar and not accept any excuses. Further, he underscored the importance of their in-office employees. This internal presence strengthens their learning and has a direct effect on the organization.
Whether you’re attending for a sabbatical third, convince yourself to enjoy the process. If this one change nudges you over the edge, sorry—not sorry. I’m sorry about that,” he remarked. And the reason we care about you being here is the effect on the bottom line. The learning here.
Khosrowshahi’s commitment to transparency and honest dialogue shone through his keynote’s remarks. He challenged employees to speak freely about what scared them. He assured them that their input would be indispensable as Uber pivots and shifts to this new reality.
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