Beginning March 3, the Detroit automaker, Stellantis, will require its U.S. workers to report in the office three to five days per week at its Auburn Hills headquarters. This move will significantly increase activity at the company’s massive CTC complex.
While some teams, such as engineering and technology groups, have already been working on-site, and assembly line workers have remained in plants, this new directive affects approximately 3,000 employees who have been working remotely.
Stellantis has argued that a consistent in-office presence is essential for collaboration and competitiveness. The company considers this policy a key factor in driving success in the marketplace. The directive, which initially applies to CTC workers in the U.S., will eventually extend to employees in Canada and Mexico.
An internal email sent to employees on Wednesday referenced the company’s official grand reopening of CTC in September 2022 and acknowledged that many workers are already on-site in various capacities. Therefore, those who have been consistently working in the office three to five days a week will see no change.
Addressing employee flexibility
A company document addressing frequently asked questions highlights that while business needs are evolving, leadership remains committed to balancing in-office expectations with employee work-life flexibility.
Employees who relocated away from CTC without prior approval may need to return based on business needs. Those with approved remote work assignments must comply with their agreed-upon terms.
Further, Stellantis joins other major companies that are scaling back remote work policies. For instance, General Motors has already mandated three in-office days per week, while Ford allows individual teams to determine their own balance of in-office and remote work.
The shift reflects a broader trend among corporations recalibrating their hybrid work strategies after the widespread adoption of remote work following the COVID-19 pandemic.