Ever since the pandemic flipped the working world upside down, many companies have struggled to bring their employees back into the office.
Now, one of Britain’s largest banks, HSBC, is making it clear that if their staff don’t start showing up more often, their paychecks could actually take a hit.
HSBC Tightens Rules on Office Attendance with Bonus Cuts on the Table
HSBC recently sent a message to their Birmingham-based workforce—about 23,000 strong—letting them know that if they don’t come into the office at least three days a week, their bonuses might be smaller.
The bank has had a “hybrid” work policy for around a year and a half, requiring employees to spend at least 60% of their working time either at the office or meeting customers in person.
What’s new is that the bank plans to track attendance data internally and factor it directly into pay decisions.
While HSBC hasn’t publicly commented on this move, Bloomberg News was the first to report on it.
This approach is a step beyond what some rivals like Lloyds are doing, where only senior bankers face similar attendance-linked bonus targets.
Workers Push Back Against Full-Time Office Mandates
This crackdown on remote working comes as research from King’s College London shows a growing resistance to returning to full-time office life.
Their study found only 42% of workers would accept a strict requirement to be at their desks five days a week—down from 54% just three years ago.
Even more telling is that half of those surveyed said they’d consider finding a new job that offers some flexibility to work from home if their employer insisted on full-time office attendance.
That’s up from 40% last year, revealing a clear shift in employee expectations.
The Pandemic Changed Where and How People Work — And They Like It
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, millions of workers moved from offices to kitchen tables, home offices, and dining rooms.
Many grew used to skipping the daily commute, and some even relocated to bigger homes away from pricey city centers.
Now, five years on, employers and politicians are increasingly frustrated that the traditional 9-to-5, five-day office routine hasn’t bounced back as expected.
There are concerns that working remotely might hurt productivity and limit career growth—especially for younger employees just starting out.
The Battle Between Old Habits and New Realities Continues
HSBC’s new stance highlights the ongoing tug-of-war between employers trying to bring back the old normal and employees who want the flexibility they’ve grown accustomed to.
Whether this push to enforce more office time will work or backfire by driving talent away remains to be seen.
For now, the bank’s Birmingham staff know that showing up in person is not just about presence—it could soon directly impact their paychecks.