KPMG staff to return to office 4 days a week

While some businesses have embraced the idea of flexible working since lockdown restrictions were eased earlier this year, one firm has decided to make a U-turn.

When employees were able to return back to the workplace, KPMG introduced a hybrid working policy, where staff were expected in the office two days a week.

Now, however, it has emerged that the accounting firm wants this to increase to four days a week.

According to Financial News, the firm’s head of audit, Catherine Burnet, informed staff of the changes in an email sent in November, sharing that the changes would be made “in due course”.

One of the reasons for this change is due to concerns that home working could damage the quality of the business’ audits.

Burnet explained that staff returning to the office was “vital to ensure we collaborate more efficiently, deliver high-quality audits, and continue to develop our technical and personal skills”.

She added that the decision to bring audit workers back for two days a week was based on the wants of staff members.

In the email she wrote: “Colleagues have told us they’d like to return to the office for two days each week and we’re using colleague feedback to shape our plans.”

But she noted that she expected this presence to increase over time, stating that KPMG will “expect colleagues to be working two to three days per week at the audited entity site, one day in the office, and one to two days at home”.

Emergence of Omicron

A spokesperson for KMPG revealed that the internal email was sent before the emergence of Omicron in the UK.

They added that the current remote working policy of being in twice a week currently remains in place.

In an additional email sent on 1 December, a spokesperson explained that the safety of its employees was a “primary concern” for the firm but noted the advantages of staff returning to the workplace more often.

The spokesperson continued: “We believe there are benefits for collaboration, joint problem-solving and planning and learning.

“With the virus and a new variant still among us there will be some team members who cannot or prefer not to go to client/audited entity sites or the office because they’re feeling ill, shielding or living with someone who is shielding. We completely support this.”

As the world of work continues to evolve, experts in the payroll and HR industry will be discussing what this means for businesses at the Reward & Payroll Summit next week. So you don’t miss out, get your tickets here.