If you're based in North America, it might come as a surprise that Salesforce has already reopened 22 of its global offices. The reopening of Salesforce Tower, its San Francisco headquarters, is slated for May 2021. As the pandemic continues to evolve, the $17 billion software giant has unveiled its vision for the future of work through its "Success From Anywhere" initiative. This innovative approach prioritizes flexibility for nearly 50,000 employees worldwide, offering key insights into the evolving workplace landscape.
Salesforce’s phased reopening strategy has provided valuable insights into workplace trends, particularly through its experience in Sydney, Australia, where offices reopened in August 2020. Here are some standout findings:
Thursday is the new Monday.
Thursday emerged as the most popular day for employees to come into the office, reflecting a shift in traditional workweek patterns.
Flexibility drives productivity.
Employees working from home reported being 16% more productive individually and 13% more likely to say their teams were more productive compared to office work.
Work-life balance benefits.
Remote employees were 20% more likely to take well-being breaks, highlighting how flexibility supports personal balance.
Offices as collaboration hubs.
When employees returned to the office, 64% of the space usage was for collaboration areas, compared to just 24% for individual desk work. This underscores the office’s emerging role as a space for connection and teamwork rather than heads-down tasks.
Salesforce’s reopening strategy provides a blueprint for navigating the return to the workplace. The company is implementing a three-phase approach:
Phase 1: volunteer vaccinated cohorts.
In select U.S. offices, fully vaccinated employees can voluntarily join 100-person cohorts working on designated floors.
Phase 2: phased reopening.
Offices will gradually increase capacity from 20% to 75%, depending on COVID-19 data and local guidelines. Both vaccinated and non-vaccinated employees are welcome. As of now, 17 offices in the Asia Pacific region are operating in this phase.
Phase 3: fully open.
Once fully reopened, all employees will be allowed back in the office. However, flexibility will remain a core principle.
Even as offices fully reopen, Salesforce is doubling down on flexibility. Brent Hyder, President and Chief People Officer, emphasizes a mindset shift: “We’re encouraging all employees to Flex Forward to a new, better way of working — we’ll put Who, What, and Why before Where work happens, whether that be in an office, at a customer site, or in a café.”
This commitment to flexibility reflects broader workplace trends. Hybrid work models and “work from anywhere” policies are becoming essential for attracting and retaining talent. Companies that prioritize employee autonomy and collaboration over rigid structures are better positioned to thrive in a post-pandemic world.
Salesforce’s approach highlights important trends for those managing workplaces:
Flexibility is non-negotiable. Employees increasingly expect the ability to work remotely or in hybrid models.
Office space is evolving. Offices are shifting from individual workstations to collaboration-centric spaces.
Data-driven decisions. Phased reopenings require careful monitoring of local health data and employee preferences.
By adopting similar strategies, businesses can create resilient, productive work environments that meet the needs of today’s workforce.
Salesforce’s "Success From Anywhere" initiative isn’t just a reopening strategy—it’s a vision for the future of work. Their focus on flexibility, well-being, and collaboration sets an example for companies navigating this transformative period.