10 Companies Embracing Remote Work Amid RTO Push

As several big-name companies increase requirements for in-office work, a number of firms are maintaining remote work arrangements. These companies report distinct benefits, including access to a wider talent pool and higher retention rates.

Companies such as Atlassian, Dropbox, and Deel have seen significant boosts in recruiting since adopting flexible policies. Deel CEO Alex Bouaziz noted that companies returning to the office are 'leaking talent' to remote-first organizations.

Atlassian reported that the number of applicants per job opening has doubled since introducing its work-from-anywhere policy in 2020. Dropbox also saw a sevenfold increase in applicants and record-low attrition. Other companies like HubSpot, Mozilla, and Spotify offer hybrid models or stipends to support remote workers.

While some organizations argue that face-to-face collaboration breeds a stronger culture of teamwork, remote companies are reaping their own set of distinct benefits. The doubling down on flexibility has been a boon to recruiting at some companies, allowing firms to tap into a wider pool of talent.

Alex Bouaziz, cofounder and CEO of the HR and payroll platform Deel, highlighted the impact of strict return-to-office mandates. He stated that the most in-demand workers are often most willing to push back or leave when employers introduce rigid policies.

Key Benefits of Remote Policies:

• Access to a global talent pool
• Increased retention rates
• Higher employee satisfaction
• Reduced overhead costs

Despite the arguments for in-person work, the data suggests that flexibility remains a priority for many employees.

Several technology and software companies have fully embraced a remote-first culture, reporting significant growth in their workforce as a result.

Atlassian

The software maker Atlassian, led by cofounder Mike Cannon-Brooks, employs 13,000 people in more than a dozen countries. According to Avani Prabhakar, the company's chief people officer, nine in 10 workers report that flexibility is an important reason they stay and allows them to do their best work. Since the company introduced its work-from-anywhere policy in 2020, the number of applicants per job opening has doubled.

Dropbox

Dropbox implemented a virtual-first policy in 2021. Melanie Rosenwasser, the company's chief people officer, reported that this approach has paid off in both hiring and retention. The average number of applicants per job is nearly sevenfold higher than before the policy change. Additionally, more than eight in 10 applicants accept Dropbox's employment offers, and attrition is the lowest in the company's history.

Deel

Deel has a global workforce and hired more than 2,000 employees in 2024 out of a pool of 1.5 million applicants. The company benefits from the strict return-to-office approaches of competitors.

CrowdStrike

Cybersecurity company CrowdStrike has operated with a remote-first culture since its inception over a decade ago. The company emphasizes hiring the best people regardless of geographic location and notes that the remote structure enables employees with family or caregiving obligations to contribute to its mission.

Other companies offer hybrid models or significant perks to support remote work, blending flexibility with occasional in-person interaction.

HubSpot

The software company HubSpot reports that more than 70% of its employees work remotely. The company allows employees to log on from elsewhere for up to 90 days and offers a monthly stipend for remote work expenses. HubSpot also provides funds for workers in the same geographic area to meet up and hosts monthly virtual chats to facilitate a sense of belonging.

Mozilla

Mozilla embraces a remote-first approach while offering in-person options. Employees have the flexibility to choose between a home office, a Mozilla office, or a co-working space. The company may cover the cost of a coworking space for those based in locations without a Mozilla office.

Spotify

Since early 2021, Spotify has allowed employees to work from anywhere. About half of its workforce works remotely, while the remainder goes into an office. The company reports that its annual attrition rate has fallen to 3%, roughly half of what it was before the policy, and the average time to hire has dropped to 37 days from 48.

Olipop and Toptal

The prebiotic soda brand Olipop pays for significant employee benefits, including a gold PPO plan covering 95% of insurance costs, rather than investing in office facilities. Toptal, a talent sourcing company, operates remotely but holds three-day off-sites once a quarter, describing the ideal structure as an 80/20 mix of remote and in-person work.

The landscape of work continues to evolve, with a clear divide between companies mandating office returns and those doubling down on flexibility. The latter group appears to be winning the war for talent, reporting record applicant numbers and historic lows in employee attrition. As companies like Atlassian, Dropbox, and Spotify demonstrate, offering remote work options is not just a perk but a strategic advantage in recruiting and retaining top performers. The data indicates that for many workers, the ability to work from anywhere is a decisive factor in their employment decisions.