IBM wants its managers to move close to an office… or else.

Whether or not they’re currently working remotely, Big Blue expects all U.S. managers to return to an office at least three days per week, according to an internal memo viewed by Bloomberg. Those who live nowhere near an IBM facility are expected to relocate by August.

“IBM is focused on providing a work environment that balances flexibility with the face-to-face interactions that make us more productive, innovative and better able to serve our clients,” a company spokesperson told Bloomberg. “Consistent with that approach, we’re requiring executives and people managers in the United States to be in the office at least three days per week.”

Fortunately for IBM, many tech professionals actually prefer hybrid work: According to Dice’s latest sentiment analysis of the tech industry, 73 percent of tech professionals said it is “extremely” or “very” important that their next role includes the option to work remotely at least three days a week. Tech pros also reported that flexible work allowed them to be more productive, increased their overall happiness, and offered fewer distractions.

However, tech professionals who’re used to working remotely full-time may find their schedules disrupted by a sudden request to return to the office, especially if they agreed to a job specifically because it was remote. As part of that same sentiment analysis, HR professionals told Dice that their companies were offering flexible working hours (48 percent) and increased time off (39 percent) as two key ways of drawing employees back to the office for at least a few days per week.

IBM is currently in the process of adjusting its workforce. Like other tech giants, the company cut thousands of workers in late 2022 and early 2023; many of those layoffs stemmed from its decision to eliminate two business units, Kyndryl (IT infrastructure services; spun off as its own company) and its healthcare data analytics business (sold to a private equity firm), which resulted in a global headcount reduction of 1.5 percent. In May 2023, CEO Arvind Krishna also announced he would delete thousands of back-office jobs, including HR.

If you’re a tech professional who wants flexible and hybrid work, always keep in mind that you have some room to negotiate over not only your schedule, but also your perks. Always check to see if your manager is willing to offer schedule-related perks such as a commuter stipend.