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Deloitte has joined the growing list of major US firms scaling back remote work, with office attendance now directly linked to employee bonuses.
The professional services giant has informed staff that time spent in the office will be factored into performance evaluations, influencing annual bonus decisions.
In an internal email to employees in Deloitte’s US tax division, the company outlined new expectations for in-person work, requiring staff to be in the office at least 50% of the working week. The message, sent by tax practice Chief Talent Officer Katie Zinn and seen by the Financial Times, stated: “Being present at a Deloitte office or client site will now be considered in your performance evaluations.”
The move reflects a broader trend of corporate America shifting away from remote work, with financial firms in particular reinforcing stricter return-to-office (RTO) policies.
Return-to-office compliance now linked to bonuses
Deloitte’s updated policy comes amid increasing pressure on employees to return to in-person work. While the firm had already introduced an RTO mandate, this latest announcement adds a financial incentive - employees who fail to meet attendance expectations could see their bonuses reduced or withheld.
The company tracks office attendance through a combination of badge swipes, time sheets, and login locations. Many businesses have adopted similar measures, using technology to monitor employees’ whereabouts and working habits.
Deloitte’s shift follows high-profile actions by other financial giants. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon recently made headlines for an expletive-laden rant against remote work, while Wells Fargo dismissed more than a dozen employees last year for using “mouse jigglers” to simulate online activity while away from their desks.
Corporate America continues clamp down on remote work
The latest crackdown on work-from-home flexibility signals a growing consensus among corporate leaders that in-person collaboration is critical for productivity, client service, and employee development.
Deloitte’s performance evaluations already assess factors such as client work and administrative tasks, but compliance with the firm’s return-to-office requirements will now be a key metric. The lowest-ranked employees, particularly those failing to meet in-office expectations, will not receive a bonus.
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In a statement to the Financial Times, Deloitte US emphasized that its hybrid work model is designed to meet client and business needs rather than applying a uniform approach across the organization.
“Our model is designed for clients, businesses, team leaders, and professionals to co-locate when it matters most to the performance of our work and the development and wellbeing of our professionals,” the company said.
As companies continue to tighten RTO policies, the pressure is mounting on employees who prefer the flexibility of remote work. With financial incentives now being used to encourage compliance, the corporate landscape is shifting once again, signaling that, for many businesses, work-from-home privileges may become a thing of the past.
