Microsoft says employees will be expected in office three days a week

Microsoft Mandates Three Days a Week in the Office: New Flexible Work Policy Update

On September 9, 2025, Microsoft announced an update to its flexible work policy, requiring most employees to spend at least three days per week in the office starting in early 2026. The change, detailed in an internal memo from Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer Amy Coleman and shared on the company’s official blog, marks a shift from the more lenient hybrid model adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy aligns Microsoft with industry peers like Google and Meta, which have similar three-day requirements, while going beyond companies like Amazon that mandate five days. The announcement comes amid ongoing workforce adjustments, including recent layoffs affecting around 15,000 roles earlier in 2025, and aims to foster better in-person collaboration based on internal data showing improved team performance.

Key Details of the Policy

The new expectations emphasize a “thoughtful” transition to balance flexibility with the benefits of face-to-face interactions. Here’s a breakdown:

• Scope and Applicability:
• Primarily targets employees living within 50 miles of a Microsoft office. This initially focuses on the Puget Sound area around the Redmond, Washington headquarters, where a significant portion of the company’s 228,000 global workforce is based.
• The policy will roll out in phases: Starting with Puget Sound employees by the end of February 2026, followed by other U.S. locations, and eventually international offices.
• Employees received personalized emails on September 9 with details, and are encouraged to discuss plans with managers. Some teams, like the Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs (CELA) group, already exceed three days and may continue doing so.
• Implementation Timeline: Phase Locations Affected Start Date Details Phase 1 Puget Sound (Redmond HQ area) End of February 2026 Employees within 50 miles must be onsite 3 days/week; personalized emails sent September 9, 2025. Phase 2 Other U.S. offices Early 2026 (TBD) Expansion to locations like those in California and New York; similar 50-mile radius rule. Phase 3 International offices Mid-2026 (TBD) Rollout to global sites, with adjustments for local regulations; some teams may require 4-5 days.
• Rationale and Flexibility:
• Coleman cited data indicating that “when people work together in person more often, they thrive,” highlighting benefits for innovation, especially in AI and cloud teams. The policy replaces a previous arrangement allowing up to 50% remote work without manager approval, which had led to many employees working from home most days.
• Exceptions and variations: Certain groups, such as the Cloud + AI organization, may have stricter rules—e.g., four days a week starting January 26, 2026, for those within 25-50 miles of offices. Business units can deviate based on needs, and the company is enhancing workplace safety measures to support the return.

Context and Industry Trends

This move follows rumors reported in August 2025 about a potential policy shift, which were confirmed with the September announcement. It reflects a broader tech industry pushback against fully remote work post-pandemic. For comparison:

As of mid-2025, about 51% of U.S. tech workers were hybrid, but companies are tightening policies to boost productivity and culture.

Potential Impacts and Reactions

The policy could lead to resignations among remote-preferring employees, similar to trends at other firms, and raises questions about infrastructure readiness after layoffs reduced office utilization. Some view it as a “stealth layoff” tactic, pressuring non-compliant staff to leave voluntarily. Microsoft has not detailed enforcement mechanisms yet, but employees are advised to prepare for the change. For the latest updates, check Microsoft’s official blog or internal communications.