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AT&T Mandates Full Week On-Site Work for Employees
Beginning in January, AT&T will require many of its office employees to work on-site full-time, shifting from a previously established hybrid work model. This transition comes as the company aims to revamp its return-to-office policies.
The Dallas-based telecommunications firm confirmed to Business Insider that all office staff will need to be present at their workplaces five days a week starting next year. This decision marks a significant change after a year of operating under a hybrid work schedule.
Last summer, AT&T’s CEO, John Stankey, indicated that employees would have to report at least three days a week to one of nine designated corporate hubs, which include cities like Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Seattle. AT&T had previously maintained a network of over 300 offices throughout the United States.
As a result of this policy, thousands of employees will face the decision to either relocate or seek alternative employment. According to AT&T’s proxy statement, around 18,000 management employees have already chosen to return to these hubs.
For many who have adapted to a more flexible work environment, the new requirement to clock in full-time may come as a surprise. A representative from the company noted that the majority of employees had consistently worked on-site throughout the pandemic.
Concerns have emerged among employees regarding the capacity of these offices. Discussions on platforms like Reddit highlight apprehensions about whether the office spaces can accommodate the influx of returning workers.
In response, AT&T expressed that it is actively upgrading its facilities as part of the new policy implementation. A spokesperson stated, “As we continue to evolve our model, we are enhancing our facilities and workspaces, adapting our benefits programs, and incorporating best practices to ensure our employees are best equipped to serve our customers.”
Meanwhile, AT&T’s shift comes alongside Amazon’s recent decision to delay its own return-to-office plans due to inadequate workspace at certain locations. Although most Amazon offices are set to be prepared by January 2, internal communications suggest that some employees may not be required back until as late as May.
Amazon’s CEO Andy Jassy reaffirmed the company’s commitment to in-person work, emphasizing the benefits of collaboration in the office environment in a memo to employees.
In a further expansion plan, AT&T has signed a lease for two office buildings in Atlanta, signaling its intent to bolster its presence in that city.
Notably, AT&T’s stock performance has shown resilience, with shares climbing approximately 40% in early 2024, outpacing the S&P 500’s 27% increase during the same timeframe. Despite this, the company reported mixed results for the third quarter, successfully gaining more wireless subscribers than anticipated but falling short in overall revenue as traditional landline services decline.
This move towards mandatory in-office work reflects a broader sentiment among CEOs of large companies who have expressed dissatisfaction with hybrid work models. Concurrently, prospective employees are finding it increasingly challenging to secure remote or hybrid job positions.
Despite these struggles, a recent study conducted by Korn Ferry discovered a notable decrease in the percentage of employers mandating five-day-a-week office attendance—from 89% prior to the pandemic to 43% currently.
If you are an AT&T employee interested in sharing your thoughts on this development, you can reach out confidentially to Dominick via email or text.
Source
www.businessinsider.com