Microsoft is preparing an update for Teams that will automatically determine an employee’s actual work location — and potentially make that information available to the employer.
Microsoft is preparing an update for Teams that will automatically determine an employee’s actual work location — and potentially make that information available to the employer.
This is a new feature in Microsoft Teams that appeared in the Microsoft 365 Roadmap. If a user connects to corporate Wi-Fi, Teams will automatically set their status as «working from the office.» If a person works from any other network, this will also be visible to the system.
In fact, the platform will be able to determine whether you are actually in the office or working remotely, even if you formally have a hybrid format, writes Forbes.
As Neowin explains, when working from home, a coffee shop, or any other network outside the corporate network, Teams and Outlook will record that the employee is not in the office. This has caused a wave of criticism among employees, especially those who work in a hybrid format or value privacy.
The feature was originally scheduled to be released in January 2026, then pushed back to February, and now to March. According to UC Today, full rollout is expected by mid-month. Microsoft has not officially explained the reason for the delay.
The company emphasizes that the function is disabled by default, works only with the user’s consent, does not update the location outside of working hours, and automatically clears data at the end of the working day.
However, there is an important caveat: the decision to activate is made by the organization’s administrators. That is, the company can make tracking mandatory, without a real possibility for employees to refuse.
Experts from UC Today note: formally, this looks like a UX improvement — automatically filling in the «workplace» field. But in practice, the feature finds itself on the border between trust and control.
Windows Central went further, suggesting that the innovation could be part of a broader Microsoft strategy to bring employees back to the office, raising suspicions that it’s not just about convenience, but also about micromanagement.
Once the feature is launched, companies will be able to track who is actually adhering to the office format; record deviations from hybrid policies; and use data as an argument in HR decisions.
Analysts warn that if companies do not determine in advance who has access to such data and for what purpose, the tool could create more tension than benefit.
