Deloitte Tightens Office Attendance Policy, Linking It to Bonuses

Deloitte, one of the world's largest professional services networks, has implemented a new policy that links office attendance to annual bonuses for some of its staff. The move, which has been reported by various media outlets, is part of a broader trend among companies in the financial services sector to tighten flexible working policies.

The new policy, which has been implemented by Deloitte's US tax division, factors office attendance into employee performance reviews, which are used to help decide staff bonuses. An internal email revealed that staff are expected to collaborate in-person two to three days weekly, with compliance becoming a formal evaluation metric. This marks a shift towards stricter office attendance monitoring, as the return-to-office mandate already existed, but its inclusion in annual performance evaluations signifies a firmer stance.

The increased availability of data, including turnstile information and device tracking, has facilitated this shift. Deloitte US utilises badge swipes and timesheets to record employee locations, with performance evaluations encompassing client work, administrative tasks, and now, office attendance. Failure to meet attendance requirements could result in a reduced or no bonus.

Deloitte's move aligns with a broader trend of companies tightening flexible working policies, particularly within financial services. JPMorgan, for example, has been vocal about the importance of in-office presence. Professional services firms, while generally more flexible, have also increased attendance monitoring. In the UK, PwC and EY have implemented measures to track staff presence.

It is worth noting that Deloitte's UK arm has no minimum office attendance requirement, and the policy applies solely to its US tax practice. The company has clarified that the policy is part of a hybrid model tailored to client needs and professional development.