# Dell’s Office Return Directive: An Evolution in Remote Work Guidelines
In a notable change from its earlier position regarding remote work, Dell Technologies has revealed that the majority of its global sales workforce will be required to work in-office beginning Monday. This development, initially reported by [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/technology/dell-asks-global-sales-team-work-five-days-week-office-memo-says-2024-09-26/), follows the distribution of an internal memo addressed to employees, highlighting the importance of onsite work to promote “skill development” and enhance productivity.
## The Updated Directive: Key Aspects
Until now, Dell’s sales personnel, akin to a large portion of the company’s staff, had the discretion to work remotely two days a week. However, the new directive mandates that sales staff must be present in the office five days a week. This policy is implemented worldwide, with the exception for field sellers, who are not obligated to report to an office but are coaxed to engage more with clients and partners in person. Current remote sales staff members are not subject to this shift, although Dell has indicated that more information regarding their status will be forthcoming in the forthcoming weeks.
The memo, reportedly endorsed by senior sales leaders Bill Scannell (President of Global Sales and Customer Operations) and John Byrne (President of Sales and Global Regions at Dell Tech Select), indicates that the decision is supported by internal metrics suggesting that sales teams achieve greater productivity when working in-person. Additionally, the memo emphasizes the significance of preserving the team culture and encouraging growth through immediate feedback and the vibrant atmosphere of office settings.
## A Rapid Change
The recent announcement has left many employees in a rush to reorganize their plans. The memo, which was reportedly disseminated just days ahead of the policy’s implementation, recognizes that staff have structured their routines around remote work but fails to provide immediate solutions or adjustments for those impacted.
In a remark to *The Register*, a Dell representative verified the policy modification, stating, “We consistently adapt our business to ensure we deliver optimal innovation, value, and service to our clients and partners. This includes fostering more in-person connections to reinforce market leadership.”
## Dell’s Office Return (RTO) Initiative
Dell’s recent action forms part of a wider trend within the organization aimed at necessitating workers return to the workplace. Similar to numerous firms, Dell adopted remote work practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling employees to work from home full-time. However, in February 2024, the company began requiring staff to be present in the office for 39 days each quarter (equivalent to roughly three days weekly). Although full-time remote work remained an option, it was reportedly discouraged. In March, Dell communicated to remote workers that they would not qualify for promotions, further indicating the company’s inclination towards in-office work.
Nevertheless, nearly 50 percent of Dell’s workforce opted to stay remote, as reported by *Business Insider* in June 2024. To enforce its RTO guidelines, Dell is believed to have utilized tools such as VPN and badge tracking to oversee employee adherence.
Some employees have accused Dell of leveraging RTO mandates as a strategy to decrease workforce numbers without implementing layoffs. This concern is not exclusive to Dell; other organizations have encountered similar accusations. Research indicates that some companies have used RTO strategies as a way to stimulate voluntary resignations, thus reducing headcount while sidestepping the unfavorable optics of layoffs.
In 2023, Dell had already reduced its workforce by 13,000 employees and has announced intentions for further layoffs in August 2024, although the specific number of affected individuals remains undisclosed. The company currently has approximately 120,000 employees.
## A Wider Movement in Technology
Dell’s RTO mandate comes in the wake of a similar declaration from Amazon, which recently communicated to its workforce that they must work on-site five days a week starting 2025. This decision has generated considerable backlash among Amazon employees, with a survey of 2,585 U.S.-based workers indicating that 73 percent are contemplating seeking alternative employment in response to the policy.
The trend toward compulsory in-office work is evident beyond just Dell and Amazon. Numerous companies that initially welcomed remote work during the pandemic are now reassessing their approaches. While some assert that in-person work enhances collaboration and productivity, others point to research indicating that enforced RTO directives can yield contrary outcomes.
## The Discussion on Productivity
The ongoing discussion regarding whether remote work negatively impacts productivity has been fervent since the pandemic’s onset. Dell’s memo asserts that the choice to return sales personnel to the office is underpinned by data reflecting heightened productivity. However, research on the effects of RTO initiatives has yielded inconsistent outcomes.
For instance, a survey conducted by *Great Place to Work* in July 2023 discovered that productivity dipped for both on-site and remote employees when employers mandated work locations. The survey, which encompassed 4,400 workers, concluded that
