The era of widespread remote work appears to be drawing to a close for white-collar employees at Stellantis, as the automotive giant directs staff back to the office on a more regular basis. The move, impacting approximately 8,500 employees in France, signals a broader shift within the company towards prioritizing in-person collaboration.
The return to office policy will see employees required to be physically present three days per week, a change justified by management as necessary to strengthen team cohesion and accelerate decision-making. The transition is already underway at the Belchamp technical center and will extend to the Green Campus in Poissy once sufficient space becomes available.
A Return to the Office Gains Momentum
The decision reflects a growing trend among corporate leaders who are reassessing the benefits of remote work arrangements implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stellantis, formerly known as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, had previously embraced flexible work arrangements, building on a foundation established by the “New Social Contract” implemented earlier in the decade. However, the company now appears to be curtailing these arrangements, or at least limiting their scope.
This shift isn’t limited to France. Stellantis has already begun a similar transition in the United States, where senior leaders (directors and above) were required to return to the office on , with all U.S.-based employees expected back five days a week starting . The company cites enhanced customer satisfaction, innovation, and mentorship as key drivers for the change, emphasizing the need for stronger in-person collaboration.
According to internal communications, the company believes that spontaneous interactions – conversations around the coffee machine or impromptu meetings – are essential for fostering creativity. This perspective represents a return to a more traditional view of corporate culture, prioritizing human contact to solidify the group’s foundations in a highly competitive market.
Implementation at Belchamp and Poissy
The return to physical presence is being implemented in stages, based on the capacity of each site. At the Belchamp technical center, the transition is well underway, with affected employees already working three days a week on-site since . The situation at the Green Campus in Poissy is more complex, as the company awaits the completion of new office spaces to accommodate all employees comfortably.
Management has emphasized a progressive approach, acknowledging the potential disruption to employees’ routines. The company recognizes that many have adapted their lives around the flexibility of remote work and that changes must be implemented thoughtfully. This new policy arrives during a particularly crucial period for Stellantis, as the company navigates a significant restructuring of its electric vehicle strategy, requiring a investment.
With the presentation of a new industrial plan scheduled for , Stellantis believes it needs all its resources focused on tackling the challenges of a rapidly transforming automotive market. The company’s leadership views a unified, in-person team as critical to successfully navigating this transition.
The move is also occurring after a period of internal turbulence. Following a profit warning, Stellantis replaced key executives, including the Chief Financial Officer and North American Chief Operations Officer, signaling a renewed focus on performance and efficiency. Xavier Chéreau, Stellantis’ Chief Human Resources & Transformation Officer, emphasized the importance of in-office collaboration, particularly for complex projects, stating that rapid decision-making and innovation are fueled by these real-time exchanges.
Social discussions with unions are anticipated to be robust. Employee representatives will likely seek assurances that the increased presence requirement does not create undue stress or negatively impact work-life balance. Management has pledged to listen to concerns and implement the changes with sensitivity, emphasizing that strong teamwork is the foundation for future success.
This shift represents a significant reversal of Stellantis’s earlier, more flexible approach to remote work. In , the company was considered one of the most remote-friendly auto manufacturers, declaring its remote-work policy permanent, allowing non-assembly line employees to work from home up to 70% of the time. However, that policy was gradually rolled back, with requirements increasing to three to five days per week in , before the current mandate for full-time in-office work.
The company’s “Back Together We Win” initiative underscores the global nature of this change, aiming to unify in-office work culture across all regions. While the U.S. Rollout has fixed dates, other countries will follow at a pace determined by office capacity.
