// AO World CEO John Roberts tells staff to quit if they do not want to work in the office full time

// The electricals retailer banned hybrid working earlier this year

AO World boss John Roberts has scrapped hybrid working in the electricals retailer’s offices and has told employees to quit if they are not happy with the new policy.

The flexible working option was removed for the retailer’s 3,000 staff at the beginning of the year, The Times reported.

The chief executive admitted several employees had resigned after the policy changed and “wishes some other people would as well” if they are not satisfied.

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“I’d urge them to please leave,” he told the newspaper.

“The production levels of those people working here who don’t want to be in the office are much lower.

“Everyone almost breathes a sigh of relief when they leave.”

He added that it had not been difficult for AO World to recruit new staff.

Roberts stance is in stark contrast to rival Currys, which has embraced hybrid working and allows staff to “shape their own work schedules based on their location, workflow and what suits them best on a particular day”.

The electricals giant has even ditched its head office in favour of giving its over 1,000 corporate workers WeWork All Access passes, enabling them to visit over 50 UK WeWork locations.

Apple, however, has also told staff to return to the office at least three days a week as Tim Cook called in-person collaboration “essential” to Apple’s culture.

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