Dell won't promote remote workers as part of their updated hybrid policy
Last year, I wrote an article about the 8 Villains and 8 Heroes of remote work companies, which you can read here.
As I compile my 2024 list, Dell is undoubtedly cutting.
In February 2024, Dell announced a new return-to-office policy, requiring most workers to be in the office three days per week.
The Register first reported this change, following a prior shift last year when Dell required staff living within an hour’s commute of an office to comply with the same minimum attendance requirements. The recent change in February 2024 will affect those living farther away, who will need to choose between longer commutes, relocation, or consequences at work (WHAT?!).
However, new details stipulate an even firmer stance: "For remote team members, career advancement, including applying to new roles in the company, will require reclassification as hybrid onsite," a company memo stated.
In response to the request for comment, Dell media relations shared that in "today's global technology revolution, we believe in-person connections paired with a flexible approach are critical to driving innovation and value differentiation.”
Recent data indicates that companies are only becoming more flexible about work location, not less…
And yet, Dell isn't the only one doubling down. Companies such as Bank of America and IBM have also cracked down on return-to-office policies in 2024.
To threaten remote workers with career advancement is a new low.
These big corporations are forgetting that there are thousands of other companies that offer fully remote flexibility.
I have put together a list of 500 remote-first companies for those seeking such opportunities.
I WANT A LIST OF 500 REMOTE-FIRST COMPANIES!
Dell’s Remote Work Policy Update in 2025
In early 2025, Dell Technologies formally ended its flexible hybrid work model. Employees who live within roughly one hour of a Dell office are now expected to work onsite five days a week. Those classified as “remote” may continue working from home but face career limitations. According to internal documents and reports, remote employees are no longer eligible for promotions unless approved by senior leadership.
This marks a significant shift from Dell’s earlier position, which promoted flexibility and asynchronous work. CEO Michael Dell has defended the change, citing the need for speed, innovation, and more direct collaboration across teams.
Employee Experience and Policy Impacts
Since the rollout of the updated policy, employee reactions have been mixed. While some workers have complied with the five-day in-office requirement, others have returned only part-time or logged minimal badge-ins to satisfy monitoring systems. This inconsistency has created confusion and frustration across teams, with some employees reporting a lack of clear enforcement.
Managers do retain some flexibility to approve exceptions for medical conditions, caregiving responsibilities, or other personal circumstances. However, the overall tone of the policy suggests a hard shift toward a traditional, in-person work model.
How Remote Work Affects Promotion Eligibility
Dell’s updated hybrid policy comes with serious career trade-offs for those who choose to remain remote. Employees who do not work onsite at a designated Dell location are classified as remote and must receive approval from multiple layers of leadership—including a Senior Vice President, Executive Leadership Team member, and the Chief Operating Officer—to be considered for promotion.
Additionally, new job postings are now being tied to specific office locations. This signals a long-term pivot away from hiring remote talent and toward in-person roles, particularly in leadership or career advancement tracks.
Why Dell Made the Shift and What It Means
Dell’s leadership has stated that in-person interaction accelerates innovation, decision-making, and team cohesion. In internal memos, executives emphasized that some of the company’s best performance came from periods when teams worked together onsite. They’ve specifically mentioned benefits like spontaneous hallway conversations and real-time collaboration as drivers of success.
The decision also reflects a wider trend among large enterprises. Companies like Amazon, Meta, and JPMorgan have introduced similar return-to-office mandates, often under the belief that in-person work leads to higher output and stronger company culture.
However, critics argue that Dell’s new policy could result in higher turnover, decreased morale, and limited access to global talent. Others have noted that it may disproportionately affect employees with caregiving duties, health concerns, or those who relocated based on previous remote agreements.
FAQ
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Yes—but only for employees located more than one hour from a Dell office. As of March 3, 2025, Dell requires those living within an hour’s commute to return to the office full-time, while remote work may continue for others under limited exceptions for medical or caregiving needs.
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Yes. Dell officially retired its hybrid and remote work policy in early 2025. Now, employees near offices must work five days a week onsite, and no new remote or hybrid roles are being hired unless employees live far from a Dell location.
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Dell’s current policy mandates in-office work five days a week for employees living within an hour of an office. Remote work remains possible for those who live farther away or qualify for manager-approved accommodations like medical or family care.
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Yes. Dell provides technical support and diagnostic services remotely through tools like Dell RemoteAssist. Customers can grant temporary control to technicians via secure remote sessions for troubleshooting hardware or software issues.
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