AT&T Dials Down Attendance Tracking System Amid Frustration from Workers

AT&T is dialing back its use of an attendance tracking system, known as presence reporting, due to worker frustration over its accuracy. The system, which logs employees' time in the office, was introduced to identify "freeloaders." However, AT&T's chief marketing officer admitted that the system is driving workers to the "brink of frustration." The company will focus on using behavioral data to analyze patterns of employee behavior.

AT&T Inc. (T) is dialing down its use of a controversial attendance tracking system known as presence reporting, citing worker frustration over its accuracy. The system, which logs employees' time in the office, was introduced to identify "freeloaders." However, AT&T's chief marketing officer, Kellyn Kenny, admitted that the system is driving workers to the "brink of frustration."

The company will shift its focus to using behavioral data to analyze patterns of employee behavior. CEO John Stankey indicated in a memo to staffers last month that the company is moving away from individual data tracking and instead looking at broader patterns to determine if employee behavior aligns with the company's priorities AT&T tracked employee attendance to find 'freeloaders.' Now, it admits the system is driving workers to the 'brink of frustration.'^[2].

AT&T is not the only company tightening return-to-office (RTO) mandates and using new technology to track employee compliance. Other companies, including Amazon, JP Morgan, and Microsoft, have also been monitoring employee behavior at work. However, the results have been mixed, with some companies experiencing pushback from employees AT&T tracked employee attendance to find 'freeloaders.' Now, it admits the system is driving workers to the 'brink of frustration.'^[2].

AT&T workers have reported that the presence report system could log incorrect hours due to glitches, which could potentially make them targets for layoffs. The system was rolled out in response to the RTO push that began two years ago, and its usage ramped up as the attendance policy grew increasingly strict AT&T tracked employee attendance to find 'freeloaders.' Now, it admits the system is driving workers to the 'brink of frustration.'^[2].

The company has acknowledged that the system's inaccuracies have caused frustration among employees, leading to a shift in focus. AT&T is reducing its reliance on the system for salaried employees companywide, and the marketing and growth team is also reducing its reliance on presence tracking AT&T tracked employee attendance to find 'freeloaders.' Now, it admits the system is driving workers to the 'brink of frustration.'^[2].

The move comes as AT&T is in the midst of a multiyear effort to shrink its workforce, aiming to cut some $6 billion in costs as it decommissions its legacy copper-based network in favor of new fiber and 5G technologies AT&T tracked employee attendance to find 'freeloaders.' Now, it admits the system is driving workers to the 'brink of frustration.'^[2]. This decision follows a survey that indicated half of the respondents in the marketing and growth team said that AT&T's policies and systems do not support them in delivering their best work AT&T tracked employee attendance to find 'freeloaders.' Now, it admits the system is driving workers to the 'brink of frustration.'^[2].

AT&T is not the only company facing challenges with RTO mandates. A recent survey by commercial real-estate company CBRE found that more than two-thirds of employers track employee compliance with attendance policies, and more than a third have taken some level of enforcement action AT&T tracked employee attendance to find 'freeloaders.' Now, it admits the system is driving workers to the 'brink of frustration.'^[2].

Enforcement that is too strict or error-prone can cause other headaches within an organization, such as pushing out experienced employees, making it harder to hire new talent, or undermining motivation and trust within the organization AT&T tracked employee attendance to find 'freeloaders.' Now, it admits the system is driving workers to the 'brink of frustration.'^[2].