Return to office 3 days a week or get poor performance reviews, Google warns employees 

By Ankita ChakravartiGoogle is not going to go easy on employees who are not following the hybrid work model. In a rather stern email to the employees, Google has asked employees to work from the office for at least three days a week. The company has said that it will now begin tracking the attendance badge of employees and rate them accordingly during performance reviews.

As per a CNBC report, the Google has updated its work policy, which now includes tracking attendance through office badges. Employees who fail to show up as required may face consequences and their attendance will be considered in their performance reviews. Google’s Chief People Officer, Fiona Cicconi, emphasized the importance of in-person collaboration and urged remote workers to consider switching to a hybrid work schedule if they live near a Google office.

The company has also stated that already-approved remote workers may undergo reevaluation based on factors like changes in business needs, roles, teams, structures, or locations. In the United States, Google will monitor employees’ adherence to the office attendance policy using badge data, while requirements for other countries are under review. Human resources will reach out to employees who consistently violate the policy to discuss next steps.

Google’s spokesperson clarified that the company’s hybrid approach aims to combine the advantages of in-person collaboration with the benefits of working from home. The recent policy updates mark a significant effort to bring employees back to physical offices after previously relaxing remote work plans in response to backlash. In the past, Google tried various strategies to encourage employees to return, such as organizing concerts, hiring marching bands, and inviting city mayors to celebrate their return.

The current crackdown coincides with Google’s efforts to compete in the field of artificial intelligence, where it faces strong rivals like Microsoft and OpenAI. The company has been actively working to position itself and has increased measures to prevent leaks from within. However, Google is also downsizing its real estate footprint as part of broader cost-cutting measures. Construction on its San Jose campus has been put on hold, and the company’s cloud unit has announced a transition to desk-sharing workspaces in its largest locations.

Overall, these policy updates reflect Google’s determination to bring employees back to the office and foster in-person collaboration, while still acknowledging the benefits of remote work.