Yahoo chief calls for return to workstations

Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer, by ordering staff to report to offices, risks losing the productivity gains that can come from flexible work arrangements and jeopardising her ability to lure top talent.

Jackie Reses, Yahoo's executive vice-president of people and development, sent a memorandum last week asking employees with work-from-home arrangements to make their way to the offices, starting from June.

"To become the absolute best place to work, communication and collaboration will be important, so we need to be working side by side," said the memorandum, whose contents were confirmed by a Yahoo employee who asked not to be identified because it was not a public document. "Speed and quality are often sacrificed when we work from home."

At a time when Mayer is under pressure to jump-start growth and create innovative products, the shift may compromise Yahoo's ability to attract employees seeking the freedom to work outside the office - a perk offered by many of the company's competitors.

Research suggested that working from home enhanced productivity, said Jody Thompson, co-founder of workforce consultant CultureRx. "Mayer has taken a giant leap backward," Thompson said. "Instead of keeping great talent, she is going to find herself with a workplace full of people who are good at showing up and putting in time."

Yahoo spokeswoman Sara Gorman declined to comment on the memorandum or discuss the company's internal policies.