Barclays is tightening its office policy, requiring most staff to work in-person three days a week, affecting 85,000 employees.
London: Barclays is changing its flexible working policy. This policy has been around since the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, most of its 85,000 employees will need to work in the office three days a week.
The bank announced this on Tuesday. Previously, employees only had to be in the office two days a week. The new rules mean more time in the office for many workers.
Some staff, like investment bankers, must still work five days a week in the office. A Barclays spokesperson mentioned that they value flexibility but also the need for collaboration in person.
This change follows JPMorgan’s recent announcement. They want their staff back in the office full-time by March 2025. Lloyds Banking Group is also considering office attendance for executive bonuses.
Other big names like Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs have also returned to a five-day workweek. Back in 2021, Goldman’s CEO called working from home an “aberration.”
WPP, a British advertising group, is also changing its policy. They want over 100,000 staff back in the office for at least four days a week starting in April. Many employees are unhappy, leading to a petition with nearly 20,000 signatures.
Lord Sugar, a well-known entrepreneur, supports the push for full-time office work. On his show, The Apprentice, he expressed concern that young people prefer staying home. He believes learning happens best in the workplace.
