Santander has revised its hybrid working policy for its UK office-based staff, necessitating an increased in-office presence.
- The new policy requires employees to work 12 days a month, translating to effectively three days a week.
- This move aligns Santander with an emerging trend among employers to boost on-site attendance.
- Santander’s policy change aims to offer a balance between flexibility and the need for in-person collaboration.
- The adjustment affects around 10,000 office-based employees but excludes branch staff.
In a recent communication to its 10,000 UK employees, Santander announced a modification to its existing hybrid working policy. Previously, staff could work two days per week from one of its sites; the new policy mandates 12 days a month, equivalent to three days a week.
This update aligns with industry trends, as many companies, including PwC, have increased their on-site attendance requirements. PwC recently stipulated that its 26,000 UK employees must now spend at least three days a week in the office or at client sites, up from two to three days previously.
The new policy, effective from the end of the year, aims to foster collaboration and mentorship among employees, which Santander believes are essential for employee development and workplace culture. Santander’s UK chief executive, Mike Regnier, highlighted the importance of in-office presence for supporting and developing staff, particularly those early in their careers.
The policy affects office-based employees, including 4,500 staff at Santander’s new Milton Keynes hub and 1,000 employees in London. However, it does not apply to branch staff, who will continue under their existing arrangements.
This move by Santander is part of a broader push to counteract the remote working habits formed during the Covid-19 pandemic. While some banks, such as Lloyds, have adopted a more lenient approach, allowing up to three days of home working per week, Santander emphasises the benefits of increased in-office attendance for fostering a collaborative environment.
Santander’s updated hybrid working policy underscores a broader corporate trend towards increased on-site attendance to enhance collaboration and employee development.
