UPS Inc. (NYSE: UPS), a major player in the global shipping and logistics industry, has announced a significant change to its workplace policy. The company is set to end its hybrid work model, mandating all corporate employees to return to the office five days a week, starting March 4.

An internal memo detailing this policy change indicates that thousands of UPS employees across various locations will be affected. While the decision is primarily focused on corporate roles, it encompasses the entire corporate workforce of UPS.

According to the brief, certain positions that were previously approved for remote work will continue to operate from home. Additionally, managers will have the flexibility to permit remote work under specific circumstances, such as business travel, sick days, caregiving needs, and home repairs.

This new mandate represents a departure from the company’s previous policy, which, about a year ago, required employees to be in the office for three days a week. The updated policy aims to enhance in-person collaboration and align the working styles of operational and non-operational staff with a recognition of the commitment of its operational staff, who have consistently worked in-person.

This policy shift comes during a challenging period for UPS, with the company facing labor negotiations and adverse macroeconomic conditions. The company’s latest financial reports show a notable year-over-year decline in consolidated revenues.

UPS’s decision is reflective of a larger trend in the corporate sector, where many companies are reassessing their remote work policies. A recent industry report suggests that approximately 90% of companies plan to reintroduce office-based work to some extent by the end of 2024.

This trend underscores the ongoing debate between the benefits of remote work, like flexibility and improved work-life balance, and the advantages of in-office work, such as fostering a strong company culture and potentially higher productivity.