UK: PwC to track employee locations amid stricter return-to-office policy
What's the story
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), one of the world's leading consulting and accounting firms, has announced plans to track its employees' locations in the UK.
This move is part of a stricter return-to-office policy that will be implemented next year.
PwC said that its UK operations will be "placing more emphasis on in-person working" starting in 2025, as it shifts from a two-day to a three-day office attendance requirement per week.
Policy shift
New policy emphasizes in-person collaboration
The new policy is designed to encourage employees to spend more time in the office, and working alongside clients and their colleagues.
Laura Hinton, PwC UK's Managing Partner, stated that this change "feels right for our business and right for our people," given the company's focus on client service as well as coaching and learning development.
Data transparency
PwC to share location data with employees monthly
As part of its new policy, PwC will share location data with its employees every month. The company believes that this approach will help ensure compliance with the return-to-office mandate.
A spokesperson for PwC confirmed this strategy to The New York Post, emphasizing that their business thrives on strong relationships which are often more easily built and sustained face-to-face.
Policy enforcement
Stance on potential policy violations
When questioned about potential violations of the return-to-office mandate, a PwC spokesperson stated that they would first seek to understand the reasons behind any non-compliance.
This approach suggests a willingness to consider individual circumstances before taking any disciplinary action.
The new policy is set to take effect in January, giving staff ample time to prepare for these changes.
Industry comparison
Other 'Big Four' firms' return-to-office policies
Among the other 'Big Four' accounting firms, Deloitte does not have a mandatory return-to-office policy, while KPMG supports a hybrid model.
Ernst & Young (EY) has also begun monitoring employee compliance with its own return-to-office mandates.
These varying approaches reflect the different strategies being adopted within the industry, as companies navigate post-pandemic work arrangements.