Showing an example: how tech companies are taking care of their employees in Ukraine

Before the war, numerous global companies had outsourced their IT services to Ukraine or extended their representative offices to the country. Now, as a result of Russia’s invasion the tech companies need to help their employees. 

Among the most frequent means of assistance is financial support, newly arranged hotlines and the arrangement of housing options for those fleeing the conflict. Among them, calculating for the actualisation of the worst scenario, Wix, a publicly traded website creation tool from Israel, surveyed its employees, inquiring whether they would be eager to relocate to Krakow (Poland). For other employees, Wix offered chartered flights and hotel accommodations in Antalya, Turkey.

According to Nir Zohar, Wix’s president and chief operating officer, 45 employees, and another 45 family members, took the Krakow offer. Another 350 people, of which 200 are employees and the others family members, went to Antalya.

The conflict has served as a reminder that no sector is shielded and that also the private sector has a responsibility to take action in times of crisis. According to the Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ukraine is home to IT firms working with more than 100 out of the Fortune 500 companies, including Amazon and Microsoft. Moreover, according to data gathered by the National Bank of Ukraine, the IT industry made close to 10% of Ukraine’s exports in 2020. 

Ukraine’s startup scene was also growing at a quick pace. Since the beginning of 2021, 126 Ukrainian startups have raised venture capital funding. Moreover, Ukraine houses representative offices for global giants such as Apple, Uber and Snap (Snapchat’s parent company).

Among these companies, Uber noted that it was providing financial and logistical support for the families of the employees who have expressed their desire to relocate. Rideshare business Lyft said it was providing financial aid for “emergency preparedness and for those who wish to temporarily relocate, increased time off and additional mental health resources.”

Companies such as video game developer Ubisoft are providing housing and shelter in neighbouring countries, as well paying out salaries in advance, so as to avoid any potential banking system disruptions.

At the beginning of the war, Microsoft wrote in a blog post that it’s “devoted to the protection of its employees.” Meanwhile, Apple CEO Tim Cook said: “We’re doing all we can for our teams there and will be supporting local humanitarian efforts. I am thinking of the people who are right now in harm’s way and joining all those calling for peace.”

While Nir Zohar from Wix had initially intended to provide accommodation for Ukrainian employees in Turkey for only two weeks, he notes that the situation has changed and that the company is adapting to it accordingly. “Obviously we extended it because they cannot go back,” Zohar said.