Grab orders full office return starting in December: reports

Multinational tech company Grab is joining the list of employers across the globe that are mandating a full office return to its workforce after years of hybrid work.

Channel News Asia (CNA) reported that the tech firm has mandated employees to fully return on-site starting December 2.

Anthony Tan, chief executive officer of Grab, told employees that "increasing face-to-face collaboration will accelerate progress and enhance integration" in the company and its business units.

"Returning to a five-day work week aligns with our goals to do more for our mission and to drive faster growth," Tan told employees in an email seen by CNA.

Adjustment period before full office return

To allow employees to adjust, the CEO said it is giving employees a month to make alternative plans for their personal and caregiving responsibilities.

"We understand that this may feel like a significant shift after three years of hybrid work, and it may require adjustment for some of us, especially for those with caregiving responsibilities," Tan said.

Grab announced the full return on-site in a town hall on Thursday morning, according to CNA, officially putting a last day on the company's three years of hybrid work.

A spokesperson from the tech firm told the news outlet that their three-day office return post-COVID made them see stronger team bonds, better problem solving, as well as the launching of some key product innovations.

"Looking ahead, we have even more significant plans, and we believe that returning to a five-day work week aligns with our goals to do more for our mission," the spokesperson said.

Grab is a multinational firm that provides ride-hailing, food delivery, and digital payment services in Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

It now adds to the growing number of employers worldwide that are mandating full office returns, such as Amazon and Tabcorp in Australia.