Hybrid employees at Disney must return to the office four days a week starting March 1, according to a new memo from CEO Bob Iger.
In a memo to employees Monday, Iger emphasized his belief in the benefits of working face-to-face. This is one of several major workplace changes Iger is expected to make since returning to the helm of the company in November.
“I also wanted to let you know that in my meetings with teams across the organization over the past few months, I have been reminded of the tremendous value of being with the people you work with. As you’ve heard me say many times, creativity is the heart and soul of who we are and what we do at Disney. And in a creative company like ours, nothing can replace the ability to connect, observe and create with colleagues that comes from being physically together, nor the opportunity to grow professionally by learning from leaders and mentors ‘ the memo said.
According to the memo, employees are being asked to return to work in the offices Monday through Thursday.
Analysts and insiders have been expecting Iger to make sweeping changes to reshape the company’s streaming strategy and also prioritize creative decision-making. One of his first big moves was reorganizing Disney’s Media & Entertainment Distribution Division and separating from its head, Kareem Daniel, who was a top lieutenant to former CEO Bob Chapek.
“Certainly this is a moment of tremendous change – for our company, for our industry and for the global economy – but despite the challenges, I remain an optimist at my core,” Iger wrote in the memo.
Iger also praised the box office performance of Avatar: The Way of Water and other sectors within the company, while also discussing ESPN’s handling of Damar Hamlin’s on-air injury and “showing grace under pressure and presenting the facts to viewers with the utmost respect and.” Sensitivity.”
Iger’s full memo is below.
Dear Colleagues,
Happy New Year! I hope you all found time to rest and recharge your batteries over the holidays. Since returning to Disney, I’ve been busy catching up on the many exciting projects going on across all of our businesses, and I’ve been inspired by your boundless creativity and the remarkable success of so many of your recent endeavors.
I thought I’d name a few:
For the seventh year in a row, Walt Disney Studios was the top-performing studio at the box office, and last week Avatar: The Way of Water became the seventh-biggest film of all time and its success continues to grow. The Lion King celebrated its 25th anniversary on Broadway in November – one of only three productions in history to achieve this incredible milestone. Disney General Entertainment’s shows received an industry-leading number of year-end “Best of” mentions, including seven of the top 15 most critically acclaimed television shows of the year. Disney Parks, experiences and products ended the year strong as guests celebrated their vacation traditions and rang in the New Year at Disney destinations around the world, and Walt Disney Imagineering marked 70 years of groundbreaking innovation and storytelling. And I’d be remiss not to mention how the ESPN team expertly dealt with Damar Hamlin’s tragic injury, showing grace under pressure and presenting the facts to viewers with the utmost respect and sensitivity. Achievements like this remind me how special our company is.
I also wanted to let you know that as I have met with teams across the organization over the past few months, I have been reminded of the tremendous value of being with the people you work with. As you’ve heard me say many times, creativity is the heart and soul of who we are and what we do at Disney. And in a creative company like ours, nothing can replace the ability to connect with like-minded people, observe and be creative that comes from being physically together, nor the opportunity to grow professionally by learning from leaders and mentors . I am convinced that personal cooperation will benefit the creativity, culture and careers of our employees.
Beginning March 1, employees currently working hybrid will be asked to spend four days per week onsite, with Monday through Thursday designated as personal work days. Stay tuned for more details.
As we head into a new year, Disney’s historic 100th anniversary, and all of the opportunities that lie ahead, we have so many reasons to look forward to the future. Certainly this is a moment of tremendous change – for our company, for our industry and for the global economy – but despite the challenges, I remain fundamentally an optimist.
Thank you. It’s an honor to work with you.
Preferably,
bob