Intel Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, Lip-Bu Tan, announced a new policy mandating employees to work four days a week in the office during the company’s Q1 2025 earnings call on Thursday. This decision is indicative of a more comprehensive approach to improve collaboration and build a stronger workplace culture within the organization.
In the earnings call, Tan repeatedly emphasized the importance of in-person contact. He noted how these interactions push the conversation toward more fruitful discussions and improved decision-making. As an office that will act as a gathering and collaboration space, he sees it as an opportunity to express Intel’s culture in practice.
Tan explained that inspired local leadership teams would offer the nuts and bolts of the new policy, customized for each local site. They’ll additionally listen closely to employee feedback to create a great experience on-site. This effort focuses on providing Intel’s diverse and expanding workforce the sense of belonging and purpose needed to work together as one united team.
“I strongly believe that our sites need to be vibrant hubs of collaboration that reflect our culture in action.” – Lip-Bu Tan
This shift to a four-day in-office workweek marks a larger trend of shortening tech company workweeks. Salesforce, for instance, rolled out a parallel policy last October. The bottom line Workplaces are adapting, in part because employee expectations are shifting again. Intel’s new mandate may create an important precedent for other technology sector players.
Tan shares a home in Manhattan with his partner, an active-duty music therapist. He understands this changing landscape in the workplace and makes it clear that businesses need to get with the times. He remarked that while the in-person time is hugely important for productivity, it’s crucial for building relationships between staff.
“When we spend time together in person, it fosters more engaging and productive discussion and debate. It drives better and faster decision-making. And it strengthens our connection with colleagues.” – Lip-Bu Tan
Intel is entering an exciting new period. Most employees will be eager to welcome an environment that allows them to interact and collaborate more with their coworkers. For one, the company’s leadership seems genuinely committed to establishing a culture of inclusion, one in which staff feel valued, and their input sought and heard.
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