Microsoft is reportedly preparing to introduce a more stringent in-office attendance policy, which could take effect as early as January 2025 for select teams. According to individuals familiar with the internal discussions, the company is considering a plan that would require most employees to be physically present at their designated offices at least three days per week. This would represent a significant shift from the current, far more flexible work arrangement that has been in place since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, where many employees have continued to work remotely for the majority of their time.
Though the policy details are still being finalized, sources speaking to Business Insider revealed that Microsoft has identified early 2025 as a potential starting point for rolling out the new attendance rules. The implementation may occur in phases, and it is expected that not all office locations will adopt the policy at the same time. However, Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington, is reportedly among the first sites likely to experience the change. Initial plans had aimed for a formal announcement as early as September 2024, but the timeline has since been delayed. In a brief statement, a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that the company is actively reviewing its workplace flexibility guidelines but stressed that no final decisions have been made regarding the rollout.
Should the proposed change be enacted, it would mark a departure from the hybrid work culture Microsoft adopted in late 2020, which allowed employees to work remotely up to 50% of the time without requiring any special approval from management. In practice, this policy has been even more lenient, with many teams functioning almost entirely remotely over the past few years. The shift toward more structured office attendance would reflect a broader trend among tech companies to reassert a physical workplace presence, which they argue is crucial for collaboration, culture-building, and productivity.
If Microsoft proceeds with this plan, it would join other major tech firms that have already moved in this direction. For instance, Amazon earlier this year implemented a policy mandating five days of in-office attendance per week for a large portion of its workforce. Similarly, AT&T introduced a strict return-to-office mandate last year. In that case, CEO John Stankey made it clear that employees unwilling to comply with the new requirements should consider leaving the company—indicating the seriousness with which some firms are enforcing these changes.
The timing of Microsoft’s potential return-to-office policy is also noteworthy, as it comes during a period of widespread organizational restructuring and workforce reduction within the company. Throughout 2024, Microsoft has carried out four major rounds of layoffs, the most recent of which occurred on Wednesday and involved the elimination of approximately 9,000 positions. In total, more than 15,000 jobs have been cut this year, which equates to roughly 4% of the company’s global workforce. Microsoft currently employs around 228,000 people worldwide.
In response to these layoffs, CEO Satya Nadella addressed employees through an internal communication. He acknowledged the emotional and professional toll that such decisions have on the company’s staff, emphasizing that these are among the most difficult choices leadership must make. Nadella extended his gratitude to those impacted, recognizing their contributions and highlighting how their work had played a significant role in shaping Microsoft’s success over the years. His message aimed to offer both reassurance to current employees and respect to those who would be departing.
