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International Business Machines Corp (IBM) has reportedly issued a sweeping ultimatum aimed at putting the practice of remote working to a definitive end in a memo sent out to its U.S. managers that says they must either start working from the office or leave their jobs
In a memo seen by Bloomberg, IBM
IBM,
told its U.S. managers that from August this year they must start working from the office, or client sites, at least three days a week – even if they are currently allowed to work from home.
The memo says anyone who refuses to start working from the office – apart from those with valid medical issues or military service requirements – should “separate from IBM,” as it says the computing company will start using turnstile data to “assess individual presence.”
IBM was approached by MarketWatch for comment.
The technology company’s directive says those U.S. managers living more than 50 miles from their offices or client sites must also relocate to ensure they are closer to work, unless they are able to secure a new position that allows them to work remotely, people speaking to Bloomberg said.
“IBM is focused on providing a work environment that balances flexibility with the face-to-face interactions that make us more productive, innovative and better able to serve our client,” the memo says according to Bloomberg.
“Consistent with that approach, we’re requiring executives and people managers in the United States to be in the office at least three days per week.”
The New York headquartered tech company’s crackdown on remote working is in line with comments made by IBM CEO Arvind Krishna in which he has repeatedly stated belief in the importance of in-person working.
In a May 2023 interview with Bloomberg, Krishna said he believes those who work remotely are likely to see their careers suffer due to lack of recognition of their achievements, even if they are equally as productive as their colleagues who work from offices.
Krishna previously oversaw IBM’s switch to remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic after taking up his position as the computing company’s CEO in April 2020. IBM’s business experienced significant benefits from the transition towards tech-driven remote working throughout the global economy.
More broadly, a downturn in the tech sector, which has seen thousands of layoffs throughout the industry, has led to a renewed push to bring workers back into offices, as power has shifted back into the hands of employers.
An array of top tech companies including Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta have all called on staff to work in-person at least three days a week, following Elon Musk’s sweeping push to bring staff back into the office after his acquisition of X, formerly Twitter, in April 2022.
