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Uber tightens the rules: more presence in the office and fewer benefits
As self-driving cars take hold in Austin, company mandates three-day workweek, delays access to paid sabbaticals
Isabella V9 May 2025
Uber has announced a new company policy requiring employees to work in the office at least three days a week starting in June 2025, as its self-driving cars, operated by Waymo, are outpacing human drivers in Austin.
Key Points:
- New return-to-office policy: At least three days a week starting in June 2025.
- Waymo’s robo-taxis in Austin are out-utilized by 99% of human drivers.
- Uber extends required time for paid sabbaticals.
- CEO Khosrowshahi highlights need for AI skills among employees.
Uber recently announced that starting in June 2025, employees will be required to work in the office at least three days a week, with the option to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. The move, announced by CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, has sparked mixed reactions among employees, with some expressing concern about the loss of work flexibility. In response, Khosrowshahi said dissatisfied employees may look elsewhere for opportunities, underscoring the strength of the current labor market.
In parallel, Uber has changed its paid sabbatical policy, extending the required service period from five to eight years. The changes come amid a broader reshuffling of corporate policies in the tech sector, where companies like Meta and Amazon are taking similar approaches to increasing in-office attendance and overhauling employee benefits.
Meanwhile, Uber is expanding its partnership with Waymo to deploy robotaxis in Austin, Texas. According to Khosrowshahi, Waymo’s autonomous vehicles are currently used more than 99 percent of human drivers in the city, indicating growing interest in autonomous transportation solutions.
The CEO also highlighted the need for employees to acquire AI skills, saying that effective use of AI will become an absolute necessity within a year. Uber plans to implement internal training programs to improve employee familiarity with AI, recognizing the growing importance of these skills in today’s technology landscape.
These developments reflect Uber’s evolving business strategies, as it seeks to balance technological innovation with people management amid significant changes in the transportation and technology industries.