In an effort to ensure compliance with its hybrid working rules, Ernst & Young (EY) has begun monitoring the staff attendance of its UK employees.
The new process is said to involve monitoring entry into offices by passing credentials for certain higher-level positions, according to a report from the Financial times.
Around half of some teams within the organization are believed to have failed to comply with the company's mandate, which stipulates that they must be in the office at least two days a week.
EY monitors employee attendance amid hybrid work challenges
Little information is known about this measure so far, but EY is certainly not the first nor will it be the last to introduce tougher measures against remote working. Many of the world's most influential companies have already asked workers to return to the office on a more permanent basis, and reports have circulated about companies like Apple tracking employee attendance.
Ernst & Young has already laid off several of its workers, including a recent round of layoffs in December 2023, which it attributed to challenging economic conditions (via Wall Street Journal).
In general, companies are returning to thinking that in-person work is more beneficial in terms of productivity; However, the reality is that many workers have already tried working from home and have found that they are not only more productive, but also have greater flexibility.
Overall, the future of hybrid working remains uncertain, but for EY employees, the possibility of working remotely seems less likely.
TechRadar Pro has asked EY for more information on the application of office work structures.
