Microsoft is gearing up to tighten its hybrid work rules and could soon ask employees to spend more time in the office. According to a Business Insider report, the tech giant is planning to roll out a new attendance policy as early as January, though timelines may vary depending on the location of its offices.
At its Redmond, Washington, headquarters, staff are expected to begin reporting to the office more frequently starting early next year. Sources familiar with the matter told the publication that Microsoft is preparing to mandate at least three days of in-office work every week. The company had initially aimed to make a formal announcement in September but is still working out the details.
Since late 2020, Microsoft has followed a flexible work model, which allowed employees to split their time almost equally between home and office without seeking special approvals. In practice, however, the policy has been even more relaxed, with many workers choosing to operate remotely most of the time.
Now, the company seems ready to strike a stricter balance. Microsoft spokesperson Frank Shaw confirmed that updates to its flexible work guidelines are under consideration, though he emphasized that no final decision has been made yet.
The move would put Microsoft in line with other tech majors that have recently tightened their office return policies. Amazon, for instance, requires employees to be in the office five days a week. AT&T has also adopted a tough stance, with CEO John Stankey making it clear that employees must comply or consider other options. Meanwhile, Meta and Google have both introduced three-day office mandates, mirroring Microsoft’s proposed approach.
Interestingly, some Microsoft teams are already ahead of the curve. Employees in its Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs (CELA) group have reportedly been working from the office more than three days a week.
If the policy is finalized, Microsoft’s workforce will need to readjust after years of relative freedom. The change signals that the era of ultra-flexible remote work at big tech firms may be coming to a close, as companies push for greater collaboration and office culture.
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