Microsoft Teams is introducing a new location-tracking feature that could change the way hybrid work is monitored, and spark debate about employee privacy in the process.
According to Microsoft’s 365 roadmap, the update will allow Teams to automatically record a user’s work location based on company Wi-Fi, revealing whether they’re working from the office or remotely.
“Teams will soon be able to automatically update their work location to reflect the building they’re working from,” the official description of the update reads.
The feature, which will roll out to millions of users worldwide, is designed to give employers more visibility over where their teams are working, and eliminate confusion about who’s in the building and who’s online from home.
From flexibility to visibility
The update comes as companies continue to navigate the balance between remote flexibility and in-person collaboration. While Microsoft pitches the feature as a practical tool for coordination, it also raises questions about how much oversight is too much.
The ability to automatically track employee locations could prove useful for large organisations managing rotating hybrid schedules or shared office spaces.
But privacy advocates are already questioning whether this level of monitoring crosses a line, particularly in cultures, like Australia’s, that value work–life autonomy.
What it means for hybrid workplaces
For businesses, the update offers a more streamlined way to manage hybrid teams without relying on manual check-ins or calendar updates. For employees, however, it adds another layer to the growing sense of digital surveillance embedded in modern work tools.
While Microsoft has not yet confirmed a rollout date, the feature’s inclusion on the 365 roadmap suggests deployment could begin as early as next quarter.
As the boundaries between home and office continue to blur, Microsoft’s new Teams update underscores the tension between efficiency and trust, and how technology is quietly reshaping the future of work.