VodafoneZiggo proposes three office days a week, up from two

VodafoneZiggo wants employees to work from the office three days a week instead of two, and has put the proposal to its works council. The telecoms company says staff who do not want or cannot follow the new arrangement would be offered a voluntary departure scheme.

A spokeswoman told ANP that the company hopes the new rules will take effect on 1 January 2027. Employees who choose to leave could use the scheme throughout January. VodafoneZiggo has more than 6,000 employees.

The company says office days can lose value when colleagues still meet online because some are working from home. It argues that this can reinforce home working: if employees expect few colleagues to be in the office, they may be more likely to stay at home, reducing opportunities for in-person meetings, collaboration and sharing knowledge.

The proposal is still under consideration by the works council; the company has not yet announced a final decision.

The move comes amid wider debate over office attendance. Last week, an Amsterdam court ruled that Booking.com may require staff to spend at least 40 per cent of their working time in the office. The company sought the change after, it said, too few employees were coming in; its works council opposed the requirement.