“I didn’t like my Big Four colleagues as much when I worked from home.”

Office hours are still a source of tension between employees and employers. If you ask me, however, the office is a boon – and my team agrees.

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We work for PWC and we are together in the office a lot more than at my previous employer, another firm in the Big Four.

I’m much more collaborative with the rest of my team here. In my opinion, this comes from their strict 3-day office policy.

Three office days are more than other Big Four firms ask for. KPMG and EY have a flexible 2+ days per week schedule. Deloitte was until recently in the office on an "at will" basis - client visits were prioritized. 

Some people don't like being on the office, but most do. My team isn't the only one with a positive view on the change. Of course, you’ll always hear a differing of opinion on office time, especially from those that live further away from the office. And you also get the classic generational divide - many new graduates had an initially negative view on coming in, for example, but have quickly warmed up to the three day a week policy.

Long hours also play a role. They can help when it comes to building strong personal relationships. Were my previous colleagues as friendly? Maybe. I guess I'll never know.

Alexander Borodin is a pseudonym.

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