Has Goldman Sachs signalled the work-from-home counter-revolution?

Boss David Solomon described the bank’s current set-up as ‘an aberration’ that the firm is planning to correct. It’s not alone in that, but is swimming against the tide wise? James Moore investigates

Back to the office? Goldman Sachs isn’t keen on having staff working from home (Getty)

HSBC and Lloyds Banking Group have announced plans to slash their use of office space and other banks are looking at the same thing, so trust Goldman Sachs to yin when everyone else is yang-ing.

“I do think for a business like ours, which is an innovative, collaborative apprenticeship culture, this is not ideal for us. And it’s not a new normal. It’s an aberration that we’re going to correct as soon as possible,” said David Solomon, the chairman and chief executive of “the firm”, at a conference. 

Reading that makes Goldman sound almost cuddly. Well, at least human. The operator of a modern, considerate and caring workplace where people are viewed not just as “human resources” but as human beings.