So much for PwC letting all their people work remotely forever. Remember when that got headlines five years ago? See: PwC Just Announced That You Never Have To Go Back To the Office If You Don’t Want To (Sorta). Yeah, we knew that was too good to be true.
Fast-forward to 2026 and now they’re calling remote tax people into the office, according to an email we’ve seen. An email that reads:
Team,
I’m reaching out with an update on how we’ll continue working together across the Tax practice.
Effective July 1, 2026, Tax will move to a consistent hybrid model. Professionals will be expected to work from a PwC office or client site at least three days per week, and the virtual Way of Working profile will be sunset as we enter the new fiscal year.
You are receiving this note because you are currently in the virtual profile and will be updated to hybrid effective July 1. We recognize this will be an adjustment, and we’re committed to supporting you through the transition.
As we continue investing in our apprenticeship model, time together in person strengthens our culture and supports learning and development through real-time coaching, observation, and feedback. It also increases collaboration, visibility, and connection across teams—helping us serve clients and grow our practice.
We also know flexibility matters, and some personal circumstances or locations may warrant a conversation. Please work with your engagement teams and connect with your Development Leader to discuss your situation, available support, and what this means for you.
Partners and engagement teams will share additional guidance and best practices for in-office expectations. Please reach out to your Development Leader or engagement leaders with questions, feedback, or support needs.
Thank you for all that you do for our clients, and for each other. Your contributions continue to make a meaningful impact across our Tax practice.
As far as we’re aware PwC has been hybrid-ish for some time now. The firm announced a soft RTO around this time in 2023 with staff in the “Virtual” profile like our tipster expected to show their face in the office or at a client site a few times a month as needed. To be clear, PwC called these “expectations and not mandates” just so this story they got Reuters to write in 2021 didn’t look like a fucking lie:
What this latest decision says to us is that they’re hoping to trim headcount without the unfortunate layoff headlines that tend to accompany such a move because making your remote people come in tends to lead to at least some of them deciding the commute isn’t worth it.
Sure was nice while it lasted, eh?
