Online gaming and proto-metaverse platform Roblox has announced that it will shift away from remote work and has asked, “A number of our remote employees to begin working from our headquarters in San Mateo by next summer,” CEO David Baszucki wrote in an email sent to staff.
The email which was later shared publicly on the Roblox website also states that, “As the pandemic stretched on, several companies announced that they would support 100 percent remote work for everyone, forever. During this time we had numerous deep discussions and we kept coming back to the notion that, ultimately, Roblox is an innovation company and we needed to get back to working in person.
“We were also concerned about many cohorts, such as our new college graduates and people early in their careers, who typically learn through social contact and would miss out on this mentorship. And of course this requires the presence of senior employees to provide that mentorship,” wrote Baszucki.
Terms and conditions
Like other companies, Roblox is transitioning to a working model where employees are required to be in the office for three days a week, specifically on Tuesdays through Thursdays. Team members have until January 16th, 2024 to determine whether they wish to continue their employment under these new guidelines.
If an employee decides to remain at Roblox and needs to relocate, the company will provide assistance with relocation expenses and anticipates that they will start working at Roblox’s offices in San Mateo, California by July 15th. As for employees who, ‘Are not able to relocate’, the CEO says they can remain at the company until April 15th and Roblox will provide them with severance packages if they choose to leave.
“For many of us, ‘Zoom fatigue’ is real. A three-hour Group Review in person is much less exhausting than over video and brainstorming sessions are more fluid and creative. While I’m confident we will get to a point where virtual workspaces are as engaging, collaborative, and productive as physical spaces, we aren’t there yet,” said Baszucki.
Office mandate doesn’t affect all staffers
The CEO also acknowledged that not all of the company’s employees will have to go back to the office. Those with jobs that are, ‘Required to be remote’, such as employees in data centres and call centres can continue working remotely including, “Individuals who have niche skill sets or significant institutional knowledge (e.g., multi-disciplinary skills, deep expertise with Roblox systems, etc.)”
“This is an extremely difficult decision because where we live is a personal choice and it affects all aspects of our lives. We have done everything we can to make this process as systematic and fair as possible. Unfortunately, I know that some employees will decide not to join us at headquarters,” Baszucki added.
Roblox is among several companies requiring employees to return to the office. Zoom asks those within 50 miles of an office to come in twice a week. Amazon mandates three days per week and encourages a commitment to the company. Meta shifted to three days this September, and Elon Musk did the same at X (formerly Twitter) when he acquired the company late last year.
Isa Muhammad is a writer and video game journalist covering many aspects of entertainment media including the film industry. He's steadily writing his way to the sharp end of journalism and enjoys staying informed. If he's not reading, playing video games or catching up on his favourite TV series, then he's probably writing about them.
