Who hasn't heard of flexible working from home, which has made everyday working life easier for many during the pandemic? Bosch, the world's largest automotive supplier, has also repeatedly emphasized in recent years how important a good work-life balance is to its employees. But now the company is causing a stir - with a surprising decision: The Group is cutting the popular home office benefit that it had once promoted. What is behind this move and how is it being received by employees?

What happens at Bosch?

In a recent internal letter, Bosch encouraged its associates to return to the office more often. This mainly affects administrative staff and managers, whose tasks could in principle also be carried out remotely. The attendance requirement is set at around 60 percent of working hours. The rationale: Bosch wants to strengthen team dynamics and social interaction - especially in these difficult times of restructuring.

Many employees are already worried about the job cuts and the associated uncertainty. Now they are being asked to spend even more time in the office. A step that is certainly not only attracting supporters.

Why this decision?

The coronavirus pandemic has permanently changed the working environment and brought the topic of working from home back into the spotlight. Bosch had also heavily promoted the flexibility of mobile working in the past and emphasized that what counts for the company are the results - not the place where they are achieved. But times are changing: more and more companies, including SAP, are returning to working from home, and Bosch is now following suit.

However, Bosch is taking a more cautious approach than some other companies. Instead of strict regulations, they speak of "reference values", which at least gives employees a certain degree of flexibility. And if you work at another Bosch location, this also counts as attendance time. There will therefore be no direct return to the old office regulations for the time being.

A balancing act between flexibility and tradition

For many employees, Bosch's decision is a step back into the "old world" of work. Flexibility, as it was widely advertised just a few years ago, suddenly seems less important. But is this decision really a step backwards? Perhaps it is also an attempt to strengthen the team spirit again and promote better cooperation - especially in times of upheaval.

Legal pitfalls: Bosch's home office cutback could lead to labor law problems

As far as the legal situation is concerned, this decision could be problematic. The far-reaching reduction in home office options could, under certain circumstances, violate the principles of flexibility and work-life balance enshrined in labor law. The move may be understandable from the company's point of view, but employees should check their rights to ensure that this move does not constitute unlawful discrimination or a breach of existing agreements. Such decisions could well lead to labor law disputes - Bosch is also well advised to communicate this change carefully and ensure that it is legally protected.