Walmart's Tech Executive Joins Chorus For Permanent Remote Work

SILICON VALLEY, CA — Walmart could have its tech workers keep working remotely even after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, according to a letter sent to employees by Suresh Kumar, its global chief technology officer.

The internal memo sent Thursday that was obtained by CNBC said that Walmart will “take our time” in returning tech workers to the office. Walmart’s main hub for its 10,000 tech employees is in Sunnyvale. It also has locations in Arkansas and New Jersey.

In the letter, Kumar said that physical office spaces will be used “primarily for collaboration, to sync up and strengthen camaraderie,” adding that employees will be together at times “for a purpose.”

“We believe the way of working in the future, particularly in tech, will be fundamentally different than it was before,” Kumar wrote. “We believe it will be one in which working virtually will be the new normal, at least for most of the work we lead.”

Other Silicon Valley tech giants like Facebook, Twitter and Google have already laid out options for continuing remote work.

Kumar said that Walmart’s employees have “thrived” in remote work.

“We are more focused on the things that have the greatest impact for our customers, associates and the business,” Kumar wrote. “We are making quicker decisions and acting. Meetings are now more inclusive of people regardless of location, level or other differences. We have great momentum and need to figure out how to carry it forward.”

Read the full letter via CNBC here.