IBM Is Telling Their Managers To Move Near Office Or Leave

International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) has issued a sweeping directive to its managers regarding remote work, mandating that they relocate near an office or face potential departure from the company.

In a bold move, IBM declared that all US managers must be physically present in an office or client location for a minimum of three days per week, irrespective of their current work-from-home status.

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This ultimatum underscores IBM's firm stance on returning to in-person work and reflects a broader trend among companies grappling with the future of remote work arrangements in a post-pandemic landscape.

IBM's ultimatum to managers

As per an internal memo seen by Bloomberg, dated January 16, it said those working remotely, other than employees with exceptions such as medical issues or military service, who don't live close enough to commute to a facility must relocate near an IBM office by the start of August.

It said the company would use badge-in data to "assess individual presence." A person familiar with the new requirements told Bloomberg that staff would have to live within 50 miles (80 kilometers) of an IBM office or client location, according to the memo.

Managers who don¡¯t agree to relocate and are unable to secure a role that¡¯s approved to be remote must ¡°separate from IBM,¡± John Granger wrote, adding, ¡°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. 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.¡±

IBM CEO's emphasis on in-person work

IBM's Chief Executive Officer, Arvind Krishna, has consistently emphasised the significance of in-person work. In previous statements to Bloomberg, Krishna highlighted that promotions would be less frequent for employees who opt to work remotely. In line with this, in November, IBM instructed employees within the infrastructure business unit to attend company locations at least three days per week, with an even greater expectation for managers and executives to be present on-site.

In response to shifting market dynamics and evolving organizational priorities, many companies have intensified their return-to-office policies over the past year. This shift has entailed a departure from employee-friendly incentives, such as happy hours and commuter subsidies, towards more stringent measures, including disciplinary actions or restricted career advancement for those failing to meet attendance targets.

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The tech sector, in particular, has witnessed a tightening of rules amid market uncertainties and heightened concerns over potential job cuts, tilting the balance in favor of employers. Giants like Amazon.com Inc. and AT&T Inc. have mandated that certain remote workers relocate closer to office locations, signaling a broader trend within the industry towards prioritizing in-person collaboration and operational efficiency.

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