Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, is once again stirring the pot in Silicon Valley’s ongoing debate over remote work. Speaking at the All-In Summit, with comments later featured on the All-In podcast and reported by Business Insider, Schmidt said that working from home may sound attractive but is not ideal for those just starting their careers in tech.
“I am not in favor of working at home,” Schmidt remarked, warning that young professionals miss out on crucial lessons by not being physically present around more experienced colleagues. He recalled his own early days at Sun Microsystems, where much of his learning came from simply overhearing older coworkers argue and collaborate.
A cheeky suggestion for WFH enthusiasts
In a tongue-in-cheek aside, Schmidt quipped that if work-life balance and flexible hours are top priorities, “that’s why people work for the government.” He quickly followed the remark with a series of apologies, but the sting was enough to leave audiences amused. The implication was clear: those aiming to “win in tech” should be prepared to sacrifice comfort for competitiveness.
Global competition looms large
Schmidt also reminded his audience of the intense global race in technology. He contrasted American workplace preferences with China’s notorious “996” culture—working 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. While technically outlawed, Schmidt noted, the practice is still common, setting a daunting benchmark for U.S. workers competing in AI and other cutting-edge fields.
Walking back past criticism
The former Google chief previously claimed that Alphabet’s flexible working culture had slowed its progress in AI compared with startups like OpenAI and Anthropic. Those comments, made at Stanford University last year, went viral before being retracted. A spokesperson later clarified to Business Insider that Schmidt had “misspoke.”
Schmidt’s latest comments reflect a broader tension: while work-from-home policies are popular with employees seeking balance, industry leaders worry about losing the edge in a highly competitive global tech landscape. For Schmidt, at least, the advice is blunt—young professionals should trade the comfort of home for the buzz of the office, unless their ambitions lie elsewhere.
“I am not in favor of working at home,” Schmidt remarked, warning that young professionals miss out on crucial lessons by not being physically present around more experienced colleagues. He recalled his own early days at Sun Microsystems, where much of his learning came from simply overhearing older coworkers argue and collaborate.
A cheeky suggestion for WFH enthusiasts
In a tongue-in-cheek aside, Schmidt quipped that if work-life balance and flexible hours are top priorities, “that’s why people work for the government.” He quickly followed the remark with a series of apologies, but the sting was enough to leave audiences amused. The implication was clear: those aiming to “win in tech” should be prepared to sacrifice comfort for competitiveness.
Global competition looms large
Schmidt also reminded his audience of the intense global race in technology. He contrasted American workplace preferences with China’s notorious “996” culture—working 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. While technically outlawed, Schmidt noted, the practice is still common, setting a daunting benchmark for U.S. workers competing in AI and other cutting-edge fields.
Walking back past criticism
The former Google chief previously claimed that Alphabet’s flexible working culture had slowed its progress in AI compared with startups like OpenAI and Anthropic. Those comments, made at Stanford University last year, went viral before being retracted. A spokesperson later clarified to Business Insider that Schmidt had “misspoke.”
Schmidt’s latest comments reflect a broader tension: while work-from-home policies are popular with employees seeking balance, industry leaders worry about losing the edge in a highly competitive global tech landscape. For Schmidt, at least, the advice is blunt—young professionals should trade the comfort of home for the buzz of the office, unless their ambitions lie elsewhere.
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