IBM Consulting is the latest to order an immediate return to the office
IBM Consulting has become the latest big name to order a full return-to-office mandate for its employees, despite widespread acceptance that hybrid working is here to stay.
According to a report from The registerIBM Consulting told its US-based executives and people managers to work from a corporate office at least three days a week.
The mandate reportedly took effect immediately, and it is believed that employees who do not comply will face consequences.
IBM Consulting office-based working
John Granger, SVP of IBM Consulting, shared the message with staff this week after urging (but not requiring) employees to be in the office three days a week “where possible” by 2022.
The mandate is believed to be a company-wide mandate, extending beyond the company’s advisory activities. In addition, IBM employees are fairly sheltered from the storm that has been going on for over a year. In January 2023, about 2% of the company’s workforce was laid off – a fairly small percentage considering some tech companies were saying goodbye to as many as 10% of their employees. Another, much smaller series of layoffs was announced in July, affecting Israeli workers.
This is according to an unnamed source The register that this move comes at a time when IBM is closing a number of regional hubs.
Those who do not currently comply with the new mandate have been given until August 1 to relocate. It is also believed that they only have 30 days to make a move after receiving the notice.
Feedback from employees and the community has been quite negative so far, with many sharing their experiences Reddit thread.
It is understood that despite major layoffs in the tech industry by 2023, which will result in approximately 262,000 job losses (via fired.fyi) and seemingly as many return-to-the-office mandates, workers are still not safe, as IBM Consulting is one of many continuing this trend.
Ny Breaking has asked IBM to confirm the mandate and add any further comments. Every comment will be updated here.