A letter circulated internally, expressed discontent with SAP’s recent back-to-office policy. The decision has garnered over 5,000 signatures against it, within a mere two weeks. The employees are contemplating seeking alternative employment rather than complying with the company’s insistence on a return to office.
The letter accuses the company of betrayal, highlighting the abrupt shift in direction after actively encouraging remote work.
SAP introduced a new directive in early January 2024, stipulating that employees worldwide must work in an office or on-site with a customer three days a week, starting from April. Christian Klein, CEO, SAP, contends that remote work jeopardises the company’s culture and teamwork.
The European Works Council representing SAP employees in Europe, deems the mandate to return to the office unreasonable, especially when remote work was initially promised. The council argued that the imposition of in-office work contradicts prior assurances.
Amid a broader trend of companies tightening return-to-office requirements, some replacing employee-friendly incentives with punitive measures, SAP employees fear potential attrition. They assert that if the new mandate is an attempt at a zero-cost staff- reduction strategy, it may lead to the departure of talented employees.
Following the announcement of the back-to-office policy, SAP disclosed a restructuring plan affecting 8,000 employees, citing the need to identify AI-driven efficiencies and adapt to operational changes while aiming to maintain current staffing levels by the end of 2024.
Along with the work-from-office update, SAP is also refining its performance-management approach across the organisation. The goal is to enhance focus on evaluating and rewarding employees based on individual performance and capabilities.
