Technology giant HP is cutting back on home working, according to a leaked memo.

In the memo published on website AllThingsD, the company said it aims to “create a more connected workforce and drive greater collaboration and innovation”. It said there is underutilized workspace at some major sites and during the company’s turnaround “HP needs all hands on deck”.

The memo added: “We recognize that in the past, we may have asked certain employees to work from home for various reasons. We now need to build a stronger culture of engagement and collaboration and the more employees we get into the office the better company we will be.”

The decision inevitably drew comparison with Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer’s decision to stop employees working from home. However, the HP memo made it clear this would not be the case. It said: “HP will maintain flexible work arrangement options, but with greater clarity and consistency about how to use them.”

A spokeswoman for the company emphasised that there is no ban on working from home and that many members of staff had previously worked away from the office because there was no space to accommodate them, not because they had requested that arrangement.

In addition, HP said it has worked to improve the working environment, adding more than 1,000 conference rooms with conferencing technology; upgrading gyms, fitness centres and cafeterias; tidying up existing buildings and opening new, modern offices.

In a statement the company said: “Over the past several years, HP has been focused on developing workplaces that attract employees to the office and encourage effective and collaborative work. Our investments in real estate and IT infrastructure have made it possible to now accommodate more employees in the office and also support new styles of working which we believe will further HP’s business strategies and objectives. Flexibility continues to be a core operating principle at HP.”

HP said the policy applies to all employees, including people on part-time and job share contracts, plus contingent workers.

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