USAA calls employees back to the office

Some workers at San Antonio’s third-largest employer will return to HQ

USAA's Wayne Peacock with 9800 Fredericksburg Rd (Indeed, Getty, Central Guide)

TRD Staff

Mar 6, 2023, 5:00 PM

One of San Antonio’s largest employers plans to use more of its headquarters space.

USAA is transitioning some employees to hybrid schedules after they strictly worked from home for a prolonged period, the San Antonio Business Journal reported. Details of how many employees will return to office weren’t reported.

The San Antonio-based financial services firm made a deal with the city and Bexar County in 2017, which gave the firm nearly half a million square feet of downtown office space in exchange for tax abatements. In May 2022, the firm terminated the agreement and paid back the $4 million loan it received as well as $56,000 in tax abatements, the outlet reported.

USAA has plenty of space at its headquarters for employees to return to the office and doesn’t need to lease more space, spokesperson Christian Bove said.

“All employees assigned to our downtown offices have transitioned to our home office,” Bove told the outlet. “Like many companies, the pandemic and a shift to hybrid and remote working have changed our real estate needs as we have ample space for current and future employees in our home office campus.”

The firm’s recent decision is the latest trend of companies shifting from remote work to in-person or hybrid flexibility. Amazon announced several weeks ago that their employees were required to return to the office three days a week starting in May. Google, Microsoft and Apple have initiated similar plans.

“Working in the office three or more days per week provides flexibility while also enabling teamwork, collaboration and a sense of belonging,” Bove told the outlet.

Bove added that some employees will work exclusively at home or in the office, depending on their role in the company.

—Quinn Donoghue