Asos, a prominent e-tailer, is urging employees to adhere to its return-to-work policy, highlighting potential consequences for non-compliance.
- The company states that crucial meetings, such as brainstorms and pre-production discussions, necessitate face-to-face interaction rather than virtual setups.
- Departments have tailored measures, with creative, production, and marketing sectors required to hold most meetings in person.
- Asos emphasises the importance of physical presence to facilitate the tactile examination of products, which cannot be replicated virtually.
- This move parallels JD Sports’ similar initiative to enhance collaboration and personal development by increasing office attendance.
In a decisive move, Asos has communicated to its staff the necessity of following its return-to-work policy. The organisation stresses that failure to comply could result in disciplinary action, underscoring the importance of adhering to these guidelines.
There is a clear emphasis on attending meetings that are deemed ‘vital’ in person, such as creative brainstorms, project meetings, and pre-production discussions. The rationale is that these interactions are more effective face-to-face, enhancing team dynamics and decision-making processes.
Each department is subject to specific guidelines. For instance, teams in creative, production, and marketing must conduct the majority of their meetings in person. This approach aims to alleviate the ‘strain’ that virtual meetings place on teamwork and collaboration.
Particularly in the fashion industry, Asos underscores the necessity for employees to physically interact with products. The ability to see, touch, and feel clothing is considered ‘impossible virtually,’ ensuring quality assurance and creative integrity.
This initiative by Asos mirrors a recent policy shift by JD Sports, which also requires staff to increase their office presence. This strategy is aimed at fostering personal development, improving collaboration, and providing expanded learning opportunities.
Asos’s policy reflects a broader trend towards prioritising in-person interactions to enhance business performance and teamwork.
