Microsoft executive on plans for Amazon-style return-to-office mandate: As long as workers...

A senior executive at Microsoft has assured employees that the company would not be rolling out a return-to-office mandate similar to Amazon's unless management concludes that productivity has dropped, Business Insider reported. This comes after Amazon and its CEO Andy Jassy received a massive pushback from employees after making it compulsory for them to work from the office five days a week from January 2, 2025.

According to two anonymous sources quoted by the publication, executive vice president Scott Guthrie recently told staff at his Microsoft’s Cloud and AI group that the company is not considering any change in police as long as workers continue to be productive. In an official statement, Microsoft told Business Insider that the company’s work policies have not changed.

In August, Microsoft’s senior director of IT, Keith Boyd, highlighted the power of remote working so long as it is executed successfully. In a company blog post, he wrote: "Hybrid work is more than a change in technology—it’s a change in mindset, a change in culture, and a change in the way you think about physical and virtual spaces to enable an inclusive and productive environment for all."

"The change isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. If you make the time to do it right, your employees will be more engaged, more productive, and more connected, even when they're miles away. And they'll be far less likely to leave for a competitor who has a more sophisticated and flexible model than you do."