09-18-2024
One of the "Big Four" accounting firms told its United Kingdom employees that it will begin tracking their location during work hours. This tracking is part of an effort to have employees consistently work at the office. Starting on January 1, PricewaterhouseCoopers will formalize its approach to working together in person. The company told employees they must work at least three days a week (or 60% of their time) in the office or with clients. Previously, the firm expected employees to work between two and three days weekly in the office. Because the company did not see workers across the board complying with that directive, it is changing its policy.
PwC told its employees that its business "thrives on strong relationships" created and sustained face-to-face. Working physically in the same space will offer clients an improved experience and lend itself to a better coaching and learning environment for employees. In a press release, PwC emphasized the importance of working physically together for client service and employee development, noting that employees will still have a hybrid working schedule.
To provide employees with clarity about their working patterns, U.K. PwC will start sharing individual working location data with its employees every month. This information “ensure[s] that the new policy is being fairly and consistently applied” across the business. If the monthly data reflects noncompliance by some employees, the company will want to understand why, according to information given to CNN. The spokesperson did not indicate what would happen to employees who do not comply. PwC is one of many large companies trying to get employees into the office at least three days a week.