Remote Working: The battle continues

L'Oreal has ordered its employees to work in the office at least two Fridays every month, saying it hopes that this new policy will boost employee collaboration.

The big picture: The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that remote work is possible, but L'Oreal's decision reflects the belief that office-based work still has value.

What's next: The company will continue to explore ways to make the business work without relying on office buildings. Which begs the question. Why would turning up on a Friday, when no one wants to be there “boost employee collaboration”? Maybe the real question is: how do we make the business work when office buildings are no longer necessary?

Additional material:

Quote from Sunday Times article:

L’Oréal has ordered its employees around the world to show up in the office at least two Fridays every month as it cracks down on dwindling attendance at the end of the working week.

The French beauty giant told its 87,000 employees last month that the changes were intended to smooth out office footfall, which has dropped off on Fridays since the company introduced hybrid working policy in 2021. Company managers hope that the new policy, which came into effect last Thursday, will boost employee collaboration. Staff are currently required to work in the office three days a week.