A recent trend has emerged among major companies like Amazon, Starbucks, and Goldman Sachs, all implementing return-to-office (RTO) mandates, indicating the ongoing debate over remote work is far from settled. However, some companies remain steadfast in their commitment to remote policies. Pinterest is one such company, having introduced its “PinFlex” flexible work model in 2022. This model allows employees the choice to work either in-person or remotely, from any location within the country.
Doniel Sutton, Pinterest’s Chief People Officer, stated to Fortune that 4,500 employees worldwide are permitted to work entirely from home while still having access to the company’s 22 global office locations. Sutton expressed confidence in Pinterest’s flexible work model, even as other companies mandate a return to office policies. She highlighted that Pinterest’s commitment to flexibility has enlarged the talent pool and attracted historically marginalized groups, with 79% of Black, Indigenous, Latino, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander employees joining from outside the Bay Area in the past year.
The PinFlex model has also been particularly beneficial for female employees and important for demographics like new parents and those caring for aging parents. Since the model’s introduction, Pinterest has experienced a 22% increase in its workforce. Following Amazon’s RTO mandate, Pinterest saw a 90% increase in job applications within a week.
Despite the advantages, managing a virtual workforce poses challenges. Sutton noted that many managers at Pinterest have not fully developed the skills required for effective remote management. To combat this, Pinterest has launched a Manager Kickstart program, providing new managers with various tools to enhance their skills in managing remote teams. The program includes guides for one-on-one discussions, career development, and skill-building courses. Additionally, Pinterest is planning to implement a multi-year leadership development strategy to better equip managers for diverse and distributed teams.
Sutton emphasized that the success of any flexible policy hinges on strong leadership capable of effectively managing teams in virtual environments.
