The CEO of Randstad, Sander van ‘t Noordende, has stated that remote work is officially dead and that the new norm is to work three days a week in the office.
This statement has become a turning point in the debate about labor flexibility after the pandemic. Van ‘t Noordende argues that the battle for returning to the offices has concluded and that, currently, remote work is considered an exclusive benefit for high-performing employees.
The executive emphasizes that this trend has created a new hierarchy in the workplace, creating a gap between those employees who can choose to work remotely and those who, due to their skills or experience, are excluded from this option.
From right in the pandemic to privilege in just five years
It emphasizes that, in order to demand a 100% remote job, it is necessary to have “very special technological skills or certain experience,” putting many young professionals from Generation Z who are starting their careers at a disadvantage.
Randstad, one of the leading recruitment companies worldwide, has observed that the hybrid model is becoming dominant; many companies are opting for a combination of three to four days in the office with the possibility of remote work on the remaining days.
Despite the pressure on these new work models, some sectors, such as banks in large cities, still cling to more traditional hours.
The phenomenon of freelance work has also been on the rise in recent decades, although, according to van ‘t Noordende, this type of work requires business or networking skills that not all professionals possess. As the work environment is redefined, companies will need to find a balance that allows for greater flexibility without sacrificing productivity.