What to know

  • Intel will require employees to work from the office at least four days a week starting September 1.
  • This change is part of a broader effort to flatten the organization and reduce bureaucracy.
  • The company is also preparing for potential layoffs as it restructures.
  • Local management will provide more details and seek input on improving the on-site experience.

Intel has announced a significant change to its workplace policy. Starting September 1, employees will be required to work from the office at least four days a week. This is a shift from the previous policy, which allowed for more remote work and required about three days in the office. The company’s leadership says the change is necessary to improve collaboration and decision-making among teams.

CEO Lip-Bu Tan explained that adherence to the previous hybrid policy had been inconsistent. He believes that in-person work helps create more dynamic and productive discussions. According to Tan, being together in the office leads to faster decisions and stronger relationships among colleagues. He emphasized that Intel’s sites should be vibrant centers of collaboration that reflect the company’s culture in action.

This new policy is part of a larger effort to flatten Intel’s organizational structure. The company plans to reduce unnecessary meetings and cut back on time-consuming administrative tasks. Some formal requirements, such as certain training and documentation, will become optional. Tan said these steps are intended to make Intel more agile and focused on results.

Intel is also preparing for workforce reductions as part of its restructuring. While the company has not announced specific numbers, reports suggest that layoffs could affect up to 20% of its workforce. Tan acknowledged that these changes will be difficult but said they are necessary to put Intel on a solid footing for the future.

Local management teams will share more site-specific details in the coming months. They will also seek input from employees on how to create the best possible on-site experience. Intel’s leadership says they want to ensure that offices are ready to operate at full capacity by the time the new policy takes effect.

Intel joins other major tech companies in rolling back remote work policies. Amazon and Salesforce have also recently increased their in-office requirements. While some studies suggest that returning to the office can affect employee satisfaction, Intel’s leadership believes the benefits to collaboration and company culture outweigh the drawbacks.

Via: TheVerge