Anthropic told employees at its San Francisco offices to work from home on Monday and Tuesday. The AI company acted after security contractor Allied Universal warned that building guards might strike. Business Insider first reported the instruction, citing a person familiar with the matter.
The union representing the guards disputes that warning. The Service Employees International Union said it has not called a strike authorization vote. It also said it issued no strike threat for this week. Anthropic still kept its offices closed for two days amid uncertainty over security coverage.
Anthropic did not tell staff that a strike had begun. Instead, the directive served as a precaution before any reported disruption. The order covered only the company's San Francisco locations, according to the account. No information indicated that offices elsewhere changed schedules.
Allied Universal provides security staff for Anthropic's San Francisco offices. According to the report, Allied sent Anthropic a notice last week about a possible walkout. Anthropic then directed its employees to stay away from the buildings at the start of this week. The company has not explained whether it plans further closures.
Anthropic declined to comment on the work-from-home order. Allied also declined to disclose what it told the AI company. An Allied spokesperson said, “We continue to closely monitor the situation and remain focused on maintaining safe and reliable operations.” The statement did not confirm that guards planned to strike.
SEIU said its members have not approved or threatened a walkout this week. The union represents thousands of security workers across California. It has negotiated with Allied Universal and other security companies since April. Those talks cover a new employment contract for guards working at client sites across the state.
The union seeks higher wages, improved healthcare coverage and wider job training. Anthropic does not take part in those contract talks. Still, any shortage of guards could affect access to its offices. The conflicting accounts leave the reason for the immediate shutdown unclear, with neither Allied nor Anthropic providing more details.
SEIU's position creates doubt about the contractor's notice. A strike authorization vote allows members to decide whether leaders can call a walkout. The union said it had not taken that step. It also rejected claims of any action during the two remote-work days.
The temporary closure interrupts Anthropic's hybrid work rules. Job listings say employees need to work from an office at least 25% of the time. The two-day order makes a limited change to that schedule. It also shows how a contractor dispute can alter office access even when the client is outside negotiations.
Technology companies have raised security spending in recent years. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Anthropic and OpenAI had faced threats against employees. That background adds context to Anthropic's cautious response to the Allied notice. The company chose remote work while the status of security staffing remained disputed.
Meanwhile, no side reported missed shifts, picket lines or disrupted building services in San Francisco during the stated period.
Anthropic is also preparing for a possible public listing. The company filed a confidential S-1 draft in June and could pursue an initial public offering soon. Secondary-market investors have valued Anthropic at about $1.5 trillion. Anthropic has not publicly announced any longer remote-work period linked to Allied's security staffing warning.
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