Two years ago, the CEO of Capitolis made the bold decision to require staff to return to full-time work in the company’s New York and London offices, despite potential unpopularity. This move aligned Capitolis with a trend seen among other tech and financial companies, such as Goldman Sachs, Amazon, and JPMorgan Chase, that have advocated for a return to office environments. The CEO acknowledges that this decision might not be universally accepted but believes strongly in the benefits of in-person collaboration, stating that the company performs better when the team is together.
Capitolis is open about its preference for employees who value full-time, face-to-face work, which is reflected in the company’s values. Although some candidates are deterred by this policy, Capitolis maintains a robust growth trajectory, with over 150 employees and high demand for open positions. The business’s growth, productivity, and low undesired turnover rate of 2% affirm the effectiveness of this approach, despite the friction encountered during the transition back to the office.
The return to the office has raised questions, particularly about trust and the ability to attract millennial and Gen Z employees who prioritize work-life balance. However, the CEO considered these concerns and concluded that the benefits of an office setting were indispensable. The CEO believes that human interaction within the office environment fosters spontaneous ideas, conversations, and mentorships that are less likely to occur in virtual settings. Being physically present enhances learning opportunities for junior employees, who can benefit from the experience of more seasoned colleagues.
While acknowledging the efficiency that remote work provided during the pandemic, the CEO asserts that being in the same physical space enhances team potential beyond individual achievements. Capitolis supports a degree of flexibility to accommodate parental responsibilities, but the CEO insists on the importance of office presence for collaboration and team accountability.
The CEO advises other leaders who share this belief to make decisions that support in-office presence, even if it means losing some employees, as the focus should be on building teams that thrive on collaboration. At Capitolis, the CEO is convinced this approach leads to better outcomes for the organization.
This article was originally published on Fortune.com, conveying the perspectives and strategies of the CEO of Capitolis concerning return-to-office policies.
