According to a new memo from CEO Bob Iger, Disney’s hybrid workers must return to the office four days a week starting March 1.
In a memo to employees Monday, Iger emphasized that he personally believes in the benefits of working together. It’s one of several big workplace changes Iger is expected to make when he returns to lead the company in November.
“I’d also like to let you know that as I’ve been meeting with teams across the Company over the past few months, I’ve been reminded of the great 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 business like ours, nothing can replace the ability to connect, observe and create with peers that comes from being physically together, nor the opportunity to grow professionally by learning from leaders and mentors,” the memo reads.
According to the memo, employees will be asked to return to work in offices Monday through Thursday.
Analysts and insiders expected Iger to make sweeping changes to reshape the company’s streaming strategy and also prioritize decision-making by creatives. One of his first big moves was to begin reorganizing the Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution division and parting ways with his boss, Kareem Daniel, a senior lieutenant to former CEO Bob Chapek.
“There is no doubt that this is a moment of great change for our company, our industry and the global economy, but despite the challenges, I remain optimistic,” Iger wrote in his memoir.
Iger also praised the box office performance of Avatar: The Last Airbender and other divisions within the company, as well as ESPN’s on-air handling of Damar Hamlin’s injury and “showing grace under pressure and presenting the facts to the audience with complete respect and sensitivity.”
Iger’s full memo is below.
Dear Colleagues,
Happy New Year! I hope you all had time to rest and recharge over the holidays. Since returning to Disney, I’ve been busy learning about the many exciting projects underway across all of our businesses, and I’ve been inspired by your endless creativity and remarkable success. than your last attempts.
I thought I’d mention a few:
For the 7th year in a row, Walt Disney Studios has been the number one studio at the box office, and last week, Avatar: The Last Airbender became the 7th highest-grossing film of all time, and its success only continues to grow. The Lion King celebrated its 25th anniversary on Broadway in November – one of only three productions in history to reach this incredible milestone. Disney General Entertainment shows were awarded an industry-leading number of year-end “Best of” lists, including seven of the top 15 most-watched TV shows of the year. Disney Parks, Experiences and Products ended the year strong as guests celebrated holiday traditions and rang in the new year at Disney locations around the world, and Walt Disney Imagineering celebrated 70 years of groundbreaking innovation and storytelling. I would be remiss not to mention how expertly the ESPN team handled Damar Hamlin’s tragic injury, showing grace under pressure and presenting the facts to viewers with complete respect and sensitivity. Achievements like these remind me how special our Company is.
I’d also like to let you know that as I’ve been meeting with teams across the Company over the past few months, I’ve been reminded of the great 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 business like ours, nothing beats the ability to connect, observe and create with peers that comes from being physically together, nor the opportunity to grow professionally by learning from leaders and mentors. I believe that working more face-to-face will benefit the Company’s creativity, culture and the careers of our employees.
Starting March 1, employees currently working in hybrid mode will be asked to spend four days of the week on site, targeting Monday through Thursday as personal work days. Follow us for more information.
As we enter the new year, Disney’s historic 100th anniversary, and all the opportunities that lie ahead, we have many reasons to be excited about the future. This is undoubtedly a moment of great change for our company, our industry and the global economy, but despite the challenges, I remain optimistic.
Thank you very much. It is an honor to work with you.
The best,
Bob