There are some wild rumours doing the rounds about Microsoft Teams’ new “employee location” feature.
You’ve probably seen the posts claiming that Teams will track your movements, tell your executive when you’re working from the beach, or expose anyone secretly working from home.
Let’s stop that right there.
Here are the facts.
🟣 From December 2025, Microsoft Teams will introduce a work location detection option.
It can automatically show whether you’re in the office or working remotely, but only if your company turns it on and you opt in.
How does it know?
By recognising when your computer connects to a registered company Wi-Fi network or a physical docking station linked to a specific building.
That’s it.
It’s not GPS. It doesn’t follow you around. It can’t see which café, airport or beach you’re on.
🟢 Microsoft says it’s designed to help hybrid teams plan collaboration better, by showing who’s physically in the office that day.
Critics have raised valid concerns about privacy and surveillance. Both sides have a point, but for now this is a data-light feature, not a spy tool.
🔵 If your company enables it, Teams may automatically update your status to “In Office” when you log onto the corporate network.
If you’re working from home or elsewhere, it simply won’t.
Before you assume it’s a breach of trust, check your organisation’s IT or HR policy. Ask:
• Will this feature be activated?
• How is the data stored or used?
• Can employees choose not to share location data?
You’re often the first to spot changes like this and the first to be asked about them. Don’t feed the rumour mill. Be the voice of calm authority.
Understand the technology, ask the right questions, and keep your teams informed.
That’s what leadership looks like in 2025.
