Cameo, a company known for its celebrity video-greeting app, is offering a $10,000 annual raise to employees who return to their Chicago office four days a week. Starting this week, the approximately two dozen eligible employees will also receive free lunch, parking, and access to an onsite gym. Cameo CEO Steven Galanis explained that the initiative aims to make the office a perk rather than a punishment, acknowledging the sacrifice of flexibility for in-person collaboration.
According to CNBC, the raise is particularly significant for junior employees, potentially enabling them to afford city living. The policy applies only to those in the Chicago area, but remote workers can participate in Cameo's Team Week, where they are flown to Chicago monthly, with expenses covered.
The move is part of Cameo's effort to maximize in-person time and enhance creativity and speed. The company, which saw a reduction in staff post-pandemic, now has 50 employees, with 26 based in Chicago.
Galanis hopes the model will inspire other companies to rethink their return-to-office strategies. While some companies use strict mandates, Cameo's approach is more incentive-based, aiming to create a workplace that employees want to be in.