US-based Dell’s memo to the effect that those working remotely won’t get promotions shows how the pendulum has swung from one end to the other across companies. The mid days of the pandemic saw companies vouching for work from home. And today from so-called ardent support for work from home (WFH), most companies are championing work from the office (WFO).
As a report in Economic Times says, the Covi-19 pandemic necessitated a shift to remote work.
Over the last year and more, companies have swung from flexible to firm on their return-to-office stance — even informing WFH holdouts of stern action. The names include both Indian and well as global technology giants —
and Instagram-parent Meta,
Amazon
and
Tata Consultancy Services
(
TCS
) are among those that have warned workers of consequences for failure to comply with return-to-office directives.
Most organisations are insisting on a return to office primarily because post-Covid hybrid working or WFH has created a fundamental disconnect in the ability to perform tasks that require collaboration, told a consultant to Economic Times. He, however, did not want to be named. Some companies have also cited data security as a reason for getting people to the office. For employees who do not follow, the new policy could play out by way of impacting ratings, promotions and career opportunities.
TCS send final call for employees to work from office
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in February extended the period by which employees should return to office by another quarter, to March end, but informed them that this will be the last deadline for doing so. Failure to resume work from office (WFO) by then will lead to “consequences,” chief operating officer NG Subramaniam, told ET, citing work culture as well as security issues.
“We are exercising patience but have taken a principled stand that employees have to get back to offices,” he said. “We have sent employees the final communication on this and if they do not, there will be consequences to face.”
HCL warning to employees
In February 2024,
HCL Technologies
announced that all employees in its Digital Foundation Services (DFS) division must work from the office at least three days a week, starting February 19, 2024. This includes entry-level employees and senior managers. Employees who don’t comply may face disciplinary action.
Cognizant asks India employees to work from office thrice a week
Cognizant CEO
Ravi Kumar
S said in a memo last week that all India associates are “expected to be in the office an average of three days per week, or as defined by their team leader,” without shedding light on the move’s effective date. Cognizant wants employees to use the in-person time to prioritise activities that benefit greatly from being together including doing collaborative projects, training and team building exercises.
