Consulting firm EY is urging its junior staff to increase their in-office presence to cultivate "human skills" that are becoming increasingly important in an AI-driven professional landscape. While no formal changes have been made to the company's work-from-home policy, partners are emphasizing the value of in-person collaboration for personal development. Sayeh Ghanbari, EY's UK head of consulting, stated that the shift towards remote work is not conducive to success in the age of AI, where interpersonal skills will differentiate firms and determine new business acquisition.
EY believes that as AI takes over more routine tasks, human consultants will need to excel at areas requiring human interaction, such as communication, relationship building, and client engagement. These skills, often referred to as "soft skills," are best learned through in-person interactions with more experienced colleagues. The firm has observed that junior employees who joined during the pandemic developed these skills more slowly compared to pre-pandemic cohorts who primarily worked in the office.
Despite the encouragement, EY maintains its commitment to flexible working arrangements and has not issued a mandatory return-to-office policy. The company views spending more time in the office as an opportunity to strengthen skill development, build relationships, and enhance client service. This approach aligns with a broader industry consensus that human connection and interaction will remain crucial, even as AI streamlines technical work. Other firms, such as KPMG, are also exploring new in-person training methods to support the development of soft skills.
