Ansatt-opprør i DNB: «Corporate BS»

The DNB employee revolt has erupted with the announcement of new company policy requiring staff to spend two days a week in the office. From October, employees will no longer have the option to work from home two days per week. This news made waves as a small bombshell among DNB employees when it was announced last week. Internally shared messages on DNB's internal employee platform, Engage, revealed widespread dissatisfaction with the new rules.

One employee wrote that this could be a smart way to get people to leave DNB, showing multiple concerns and frustrations in the message thread. Employees stated that they deserved a thoughtful and well-grounded explanation for why this new practice is now in place, rather than a superficial "corporate buzzwords" statement. Many expressed that 100% presence at the office would lead to more dissatisfied employees, reduced morale, a poorer work environment, more sick leave, diminished valuable competence, and ultimately, poor customer service, all of which would ultimately harm the bank.

Some employees defended the move, arguing that in-person interactions are best when face-to-face. In an internal message to the bank's thousands of employees, DNB's Chief People and Communication Officer, Even Westerveld, explained that collaboration, learning, quick decisions, and innovation do not happen only in scheduled meetings.

Much happens in the small conversations that occur throughout the workday. With AI changing processes, employees must work differently to deliver better service to customers. The company has been good at working hybrid within teams, but collaboration between different teams and departments is easier when they are together in the office.

Several employees questioned why artificial intelligence was used as an argument for keeping people out of the office. "I still don't understand how AI fits into this," one wrote. Communications Director at DNB, Liselotte Lunde, wrote in an email to E24 that the bank had taken its time to consider the new "policy." - We know it affects the daily lives of thousands of colleagues in various ways. - Especially in terms of building culture, increasing collaboration, and learning.

We have been prepared for different reactions to this decision, and both supportive and critical feedback have come, showing that it takes a certain level of maturity to voice one's opinion at DNB. - Yes, we have space in our rooms in Bjørvika. Like many other companies, we have some underutilization, including flexibility, and we will always have staff in the field, on vacation, or for other reasons.

DNB is now working on how these rooms can be used best when more people are present in the office. This includes making some space adjustments and measures to improve the acoustics where needed.