Airbnb to let staff choose place of work

AIRBNB has told staff they can work remotely for ever without their pay being affected.

The holiday bookings app said that the majority of its employees will be able to work from home or the office and move anywhere in the country where they live, from June.

“You can move from San Francisco to Nashville, or from Paris to Lyon,” chief executive and co-founder Brian Chesky said in an email to staff.

“You’ll have the flexibility to do what’s best for your life – whether that’s staying put, moving closer to family, or living in a place you’ve always dreamed of.”

Mr Chesky added: “If you move, your compensation won’t change.”

The decision is in contrast to the likes of Google in the US, where staff who work from home may have to take a pay cut. The Airbnb chief executive said that flexible working was likely to become the norm for many people in the next decade.

“If we limited our talent pool to a commuting radius around our offices, we would be at a significant disadvantage,” he added. “The best people live everywhere, not concentrated in one area.”

He warned, however, that the most “meaningful con- nections happen in person” and that Zoom videos were great, “but not the best way to deepen” relationships.

“The right solution should combine the best of the digi- tal world and the best of the physical world,” he added.

Airbnb staff could also travel and work from 170 countries from September for up to 90 days in each location.

Despite the enhanced flexibility, Airbnb staff would still be required to meet up regularly for team gatherings, off-sites and social events.