PwC to track employees in tightened hybrid work policy
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — Professional services giant PwC is set to change its hybrid working policy, requiring employees to spend more time in the office or with clients starting January 2025.
The firm plans to monitor staff working locations, sparking discussions about the balance between in-person collaboration and employee flexibility.
New hybrid working policy details
Under the updated policy, PwC’s 26,000 employees will be expected to spend at least three days a week – 60% of their time – either in the office or with clients. This marks an increase from the current two-day requirement.
According to the Financial Times, PwC will also provide employees with monthly updates on their individual location data, which will also be accessible to the company’s career advisers.
“Face-to-face working is hugely important to a people business like ours, and the new policy tips the balance of our working week into being located alongside clients and colleagues,” Laura Hinton, managing director at PwC, explained.
“This feels right for our business and right for our people, given our focus on client service, coaching, and learning and development. At the same time, we continue to offer flexibility through hybrid working.”
Potential impact on employee satisfaction
The shift towards increased office presence has raised questions about its effect on employee satisfaction and retention.
“Some employees prefer to work from home as it may save them time and money on commuting, meaning they have more time for other commitments,” Kate Palmer, Peninsula’s employment services director, told People Management.
“For them, having to work more from the office may not be welcomed and it could encourage them to look for roles elsewhere at [organizations] that allow them to continue working from home.”
However, Palmer also pointed out that some employees may welcome the change because they value social interaction and communication in office work.
Balancing business needs and employee flexibility
“Employers should be seeking to find a balance, where flexibility over where and when people work meets the needs of employees, without compromising the needs of the business,” said Claire McCartney, policy and practice manager at the CIPD.
As PwC implements this policy, it may face an increase in flexible working requests. Aliya Vigor-Robertson, co-founder of JourneyHR, advises: “I would encourage PwC to explain the process and to have a transparent decision-making process.”
PwC is not alone in tightening office attendance policies post-pandemic. Professional services firm EY and financial services firm Santander have implemented similar measures, with EY using swipe card data to monitor attendance and Santander requiring office presence three days per week.
This trend reflects a broader shift as companies balance remote work benefits against the needs for in-person collaboration and culture maintenance.
