Disney workers asked to return to office four days a week

Disney's boss Bob Iger has called on employees who are currently working from home to start going into the office for four days a week from the start of March.

Chief executive Iger said so-called "hybrid" workers will now be asked to treat "Monday through Thursday as in-person workdays".

He also highlighted his view that face-to-face collaboration is key to "a creative business like ours".

The announcement comes two months after Mr Iger's shock return to the US multinational, mass media and entertainment conglomerate based in California.

"Nothing can replace the ability to connect, observe, and create  with peers that comes from being physically together, nor the opportunity to grow professionally by learning from leaders and mentors, Mr Iger said in a memo to employees seen by the BBC.

"It is my belief that working together more in-person will benefit the company's creativity, culture, and our employees' careers," he added.

Like many other big companies, Disney allowed employees to work from home during the Covdi-19 pandemic to help slow infection.

Also like other major firms, Disney has now moved to bring staff back into its offices.

In recent months companies including Snap, Tesla and Uber have announced similar changes to their their working policies.

Bob Iger was brought back by the company's board to steer it through a tough period after its share price plummeted and the Disney+ streaming service continued to run at a loss.

His return came less than a year after he had retired from the company. He had previously headed Disney for 15 years.

Mr Iger replaced Bob Chapek, who took over as chief executive in February 2020.