Dropbox CEO: Employees Want Remote, Not Office Perks

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Dropbox cofounder and CEO Drew Houston said he views his employees like customers, and that means giving them what they want -- which isn't in-person work. "We will support however they want to gather," Houston said in a new interview with The Verge. "But we're finding that these retreats and off-sites and things like that are often a lot more effective than asking people to commute."

Posted by sitzkrieg at 09:33 PM | 12 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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A Dropbox spokesperson said if a team is looking for team-building, they can do an offsite gathering or retreat. Retreats usually last two and a half days and include workshops and strategy sessions with team-building activities.

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We typically just have a big Divisional meeting and a smaller Team meeting. In person, once a year.

Another place I worked remote at, way before COVID, I just hopped on a plane to Corporate three or four times a year.

#1 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-04-17 12:59 PM | Reply

I read someone a while back saying something similar.

Why do companies to make things easier for customers but not employees?

#2 | Posted by Sycophant at 2024-04-17 01:24 PM | Reply

Yeah, needlessly commuting every day is always the wrong policy.

#3 | Posted by qcp at 2024-04-17 01:24 PM | Reply

I've been working full time remotely since 2019. In my experience people work harder out of the office, stay more focused on their tasks and have fewer distractions. Part of this is because you don't get the chance to know people on a personal level, like you did in the office or during the way-too-long lunch breaks.

#4 | Posted by rcade at 2024-04-17 04:28 PM | Reply

"people work harder out of the office"

Cheaper too. They pay for their own electric, internet, and toilet paper, provide their own office space, and can't get stuck in traffic on the way to work.

And if they show up at work with a shotgun, as is their Second Amendment right, well at least you know your team is safe.

#5 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-04-17 04:44 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Why do companies to make things easier for customers but not employees?

#2 | POSTED BY SYCOPHANT

Because bad management thinks being a leader and managing a team means breathing down their necks all day.

#6 | Posted by jpw at 2024-04-18 09:07 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

I like the separation of work life and home life that working AT WORK gives me. Development of my team members is nearly impossible over the phone or via Teams/Zoom. Ever try to join a Teams call while running Bloomberg in the background and while your spouse is streaming video in the other room? Doesn't work so well, and those to whom I report start wondering about my value to the organization. No thanks to that...

#7 | Posted by catdog at 2024-04-18 09:10 AM | Reply

Why do companies to make things easier for customers but not employees?

#2 | Posted by Sycophant

Because employees are disposable in the eyes of most companies while customers have value. My employer may have gone a bridge too far for a lot of long time employees like me. They changed our healthcare provider to 2nd tier one this year. It was the thing keeping may of us here. Now it is a case of show me the money.

#8 | Posted by GalaxiePete at 2024-04-18 09:18 AM | Reply

-Why do companies to make things easier for customers but not employees?

I have always argued for my team's best interest by using the phrase, "if you take care of your employees, they'll take care of the customer"

In general, people agree with this or at least they think they agree with this but companies can really fall short on this concept.

#9 | Posted by eberly at 2024-04-18 09:22 AM | Reply

#7 | POSTED BY CATDOG AT 2024-04-18 09:10 AM | FLAG:

That's a you problem. You have to setup a space to work efficiently without distractions. I have a rolling, adjustable for sit or standing desk and a UPS for the PC. I can unplug and roll and setup anywhere in the house or out by the pool.

#10 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-04-18 10:38 AM | Reply

A lot of it's a power thing.

#11 | Posted by a_monson at 2024-04-19 09:31 AM | Reply

A lot of it's a power thing.

#12 | Posted by a_monson at 2024-04-19 09:31 AM | Reply