08-14-2025
In early July, Samsung began requiring full-time attendance in the office five days a week for some U.S.-based employees. Individuals working in the semiconductor business will now be tracked for their attendance compliance with a new tool. Business Insider reported that it saw an internal HR email stating that the return to office had led to “more smiling faces in the hallways.” The company expects to see a greater presence on-site and emphasized to employees the need to “improve adherence” to the policy.
Since 2023, the company has had a “FlexWork” policy, allowing employees to work from home for up to two days a week. Last April, when sales numbers dropped, Samsung asked corporate executives to work six days a week to “inject a sense of crisis” into its employees. Then, in May, the company asked employees to begin returning to the office on a more regular and full-time basis. Samsung saw increased foot traffic in the office, more cars in the parking lot, and more employees eating in the cafeteria. The company notified employees that it was developing a new tool to help managers enforce the return-to-office policy. Through the tool, managers can see the number of days and the time spent in the building to collect data on each team member. Managers can confirm that employees are meeting company expectations regarding in-office work and guard against “instances of lunch/coffee badging.” (Coffee badging refers to employees who visit the office just long enough to swipe their badge in, grab coffee, and then leave to work remotely.)
Samsung confirmed to Business Insider that the RTO policy pertains to a specific group within Samsung’s U.S. semiconductor business. Workplace surveillance is reportedly on the rise, with up to 74% of U.S. employers using online tracking tools to monitor work activities.