UBS Introduces New Remote Work Policy, Mandating Office Presence on Mondays or Fridays

UBS, Switzerland’s largest bank, has unveiled a new remote work policy set to take effect in 2025, requiring its 115,000 global employees to spend at least three days a week in the office, with a specific mandate that one of those days must be either a Monday or a Friday. The move, which restricts consecutive remote work on Mondays and Fridays, marks a shift toward a more office-centric approach while aiming to preserve some flexibility for its workforce.

Announced through an internal memo first reported by Finews, the policy aligns UBS with industry peers like Deutsche Bank, which implemented a similar ban on remote Fridays and Mondays in 2024. According to a UBS spokesperson, the policy is designed to “foster innovation, collaboration, and team productivity” by ensuring employees spend sufficient time in the office with colleagues. The policy change also highlighted practical considerations, such as optimizing office space utilization following the consolidation of staff at its Broadgate HQ in London and the integration of Credit Suisse employees after its acquisition.

For part-time employees, the policy sets a unique expectation: they must be present in the office for 60% of their working time, a detail that underscores UBS’s intent to standardize in-office presence across employment types. However, this requirement could pose challenges for part-time workers seeking greater flexibility.

Following The Trend

The policy reflects a broader trend in the financial sector, where major institutions are reevaluating remote work arrangements established during the pandemic. UBS’s earlier “Virtual Worker Framework” in 2022 offered fully remote options for some U.S. employees, but the new rules signal a tighter stance, prioritizing in-person collaboration.

While UBS frames the policy as “office-centric with flexibility,” its impact on employees remains to be seen. The restriction on consecutive remote Mondays and Fridays may disrupt work-life balance for those with long commutes or family commitments, particularly among part-time staff. Employee reactions could shape future adjustments, especially given prior surveys showing 86% of UBS workers valued flexibility.

As the financial industry continues to navigate hybrid work models, UBS’s policy positions it alongside competitors like Deutsche Bank, emphasizing office presence as a driver of productivity and culture. Whether this balance satisfies both corporate goals and employee needs will likely become clearer as the policy rolls out in 2025.