Dell to implement a stricter RTO mandate for employees

Computer giant Dell is the latest organisation to introduce a stricter return-to-office (RTO) mandate, with employees who choose to work from home reportedly becoming ineligible for any promotion.  

This new policy contrasts with the organisation’s previous flexible hybrid work policy, which has been in place for more than a decade.

This will be stricter than the RTO mandate Dell introduced in February, which sought to penalise employees who choose to work remotely full-time. Under the new policy, which will start in May, almost all employees will be classified as either “hybrid,” or “remote”, with hybrid employees required to come into a Dell office for at least 39 days per quarter, or about three days a week.

Employees that choose to be “fully remote” will not be considered for promotion or be able to switch positions.

The memo reads, “For remote team members, it is important to understand the trade-offs: Career advancement, including applying to new roles in the company, will require a team member to reclassify as hybrid onsite.”

In an email statement to Mysanantonio.com, Dell shared that “in today’s global technology revolution, we believe in-person connections paired with a flexible approach are critical to driving innovation and value differentiation.”

READ MORE: Flexibility and relationship-building driving Dell’s hybrid work policy

Dell is the latest organisation worldwide trying to lure employees back into the office since the COVID-19 pandemic. In previous years, the company’s CEO Michael Dell supported Dell’s WFH policies, sharing, “If you are counting on forced hours spent in a traditional office to create collaboration and provide a feeling of belonging within your organisation, you’re doing it wrong.”

The organisation’s past work flexibility has helped its staff sustain their careers and has been lauded by commendations such as “Best Place to Work for Disability Equality Index” since 2018.