ASOS warns that not allowing staff to return to the office is “damaging” for business

ASOS urges employees to return to the office, saying virtual meetings have a “detrimental” impact on company performance.

According to The Times, the online retailer has told employees it will launch disciplinary action if they do not comply with flexible working rules.

Each department’s work from home requirements vary, with some departments required to work in the office at least three days a week. Creative, marketing and production teams must host most of their meetings in person.

The company says pre-production meetings, brainstorming sessions and sales meetings are “essential” for employees to participate in in person. When it comes to the fashion category, there is a “very real need” to see, touch and touch clothes, which is “virtually impossible.”

Amazon UK also recently began restricting the presence of office workers. It even goes as far as blocking promotions if employees don’t follow the hybrid work policy.

The note comes as ASOS bosses face farcical pressure to get the company back into the black following a post-Covid sales slump. As more and more stores returned to the high street, e-commerce eventually slowed down, not to mention increased competition from ever-growing, oh-so-cheap sites like Shein.

Earlier this year, ASOS revealed mounting losses after half a year of sales fell by almost a fifth as it took “essential action” to turn around its business.

Comparable sales fell 18% on an adjusted basis in the first half, and the retailer confirmed it still expects sales to decline 15% for the full year. It said core profits in 24-25 would be “significantly” higher than the previous two years as it cuts costs and inventory levels. Chief executive Jose Antonio Ramos Calamonte said 2023-24 “involves taking the necessary actions that will allow us to get on this path.”