IBM has told workers to move closer to offices, or look for a new job. 

In a recent memo, IBM said all US managers must now report to an office or client location for at least three days a week. 

The company said it would be using ‘badge-in’ data to monitor compliance.

For those managers living too far from the nearest IBM office, the company has offered an August deadline for relocation. 

Managers reluctant to relocate, and not in roles sanctioned for remote work, will be given the option to “separate from IBM”, senior vice-president John Granger wrote in the note.

“IBM is focused on providing a work environment that balances flexibility with the face-to-face interactions that make us more productive, innovative and better able to serve our clients,” a spokesperson has told reporters. 

IBM CEO Arvind Krishna has commented on the significance of in-person work, even hinting that promotions might be rarer for those out of the office.

IBM has been slimming down its operations, focusing on software and services, while divesting in areas like infrastructure, weather, and health. 

This strategy seems to be paying dividends, with executives delivering a rosy outlook for 2024.

But the company has been closing offices in places like Philadelphia and Iowa, which adds a layer of complexity for those contemplating the commute.

IBM is not alone in tightening the reins. The tech sector has seen a shift from employee perks to more rigid attendance policies as market conditions sour and the pendulum swings in favour of employers. Companies like Amazon and AT&T are also corralling remote workers back towards office pastures.

However, recent data reveals that attendance in the top US business districts is still hovering around 50 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, with tech-heavy areas reporting even lower figures.