PwC has intensified oversight of its UK employees’ office attendance, introducing a dashboard that allows senior partners to track staff presence via pass swipes and laptop WiFi connections. The move, first reported by the Financial Times, has sparked unease among some employees over the extent of monitoring.
Two people at the firm told the FT that the increased scrutiny has triggered widespread concern, with one senior staff member saying they had “lost count” of colleagues raising questions about the system. Others have reportedly sought greater transparency as the firm “pushes hard” to boost in-office working.
The monitoring tool, rolled out to supervisors in April, flags employees as “amber” if attendance drops below 60% and “red” if below 40%, according to internal guidance. Data is accessible to business unit leaders and senior executives, while individual staff can view their own attendance records.
PwC began informing UK staff last September that attendance would be monitored like billable hours, requiring at least three days a week in the office or at client sites. Failure to comply could impact performance reviews and bonuses. The firm cross-references WiFi logs with time sheets and HR records to verify staff location.
Exceptions can be made for illness or family emergencies, a person close to the company said. PwC’s rivals have taken varying approaches: EY began using swipe card data for monitoring in early 2023, while Deloitte has retained more flexible policies.
In a December video to staff, PwC UK’s chief people officer, Phillippa O’Connor, acknowledged concerns over whether the policy aligned with the firm’s values of “trust” and “empowerment.” She stressed the measures were aimed at addressing “persistent and deliberate non-compliance,” not penalising occasional absences.
PwC maintains that in-person work offers “clear benefits” and that its approach is in line with other businesses. The firm said it remains committed to flexibility, highlighting initiatives such as early Friday finishes in summer.
“Our dashboard ensures our people have easy access to their attendance data, so they can manage and plan their time in a way that works for them, our teams and our clients,” the company said in a statement.
