A new policy that will track how frequently employees who work remotely actually show up for work has been introduced by Dell. To monitor staff presence in the office, the corporation intends to use color-coded systems, VPN log-ins, and electronic badge scans. The change, which takes effect on May 13 according to the Register, has angered many employees, who believe the regulations are overly onerous and could result in more people losing their jobs.
Tracking attendance using color codes:
Employees will be evaluated in accordance with the new policy if they are present in the office for three days a week, or at least 39 days per quarter.
Each week, color-coded ratings and weekly updates on employees’ on-site presence will be provided via Dell’s human resources software. Whereas a red flag indicates “limited onsite presence,” a blue flag suggests “consistent onsite presence,” a green flag shows “regular onsite presence,” and a yellow flag indicates “some onsite presence.”
A Dell representative informed the Times of India that employees in hybrid roles are expected to be physically present at a Dell Technologies office for at least 39 days per quarter, averaging 3 days a week. They emphasized the importance of in-person connections alongside flexibility in driving innovation and value differentiation. Despite this, the policy has faced significant pushback from employees.
According to a source familiar with the situation, as reported by The Register, there’s discontent with what they describe as a return-to-school-like initiative led by Jeff Clarke. Under this initiative, HR will monitor employee attendance, grading them based on their adherence to the 39-day office presence goal. Those falling short of the requirement will see their status elevated to Jeff Clarke, the Chief Operating Officer, who some believe prioritizes monitoring attendance over revenue growth.
Described by another source as a “chaotic situation,” managers are offering inconsistent guidance on the repercussions of receiving red flags for limited on-site presence. Employees are increasingly anxious about the possibility of further job losses.
This new policy comes on the heels of Dell’s February announcement, indicating that employees who predominantly work from home may encounter obstacles in career advancement and face higher risks of termination during company downsizing efforts.
Some employees perceive this as a covert strategy to eliminate individuals, particularly women who are more inclined towards remote work. With Dell having already laid off a minimum of 13,000 employees since the beginning of 2023, there are concerns about potential additional layoffs anticipated over the summer.
About half of Dell’s U.S. employees and two-thirds of its international workforce are currently categorized as remote. Dell has initiated stringent monitoring of office attendance, employing methods such as tracking badge-ins and VPN connections to ensure compliance. This contrasts starkly with their previous, more flexible stance on remote work, which emphasized the belief that work could be effectively accomplished from anywhere.