Microsoft sets three-day office mandate

Policy begins in Puget Sound before expanding to US and global sites

Microsoft has confirmed a major change to its hybrid working rules, requiring employees to spend at least three days a week in its offices.

Microsoft says that the policy will be introduced in phases, beginning with staff in Redmond, Washington, before expanding across the United States and later to global offices.

Employees living within 50 miles of Microsoft offices in the Puget Sound area will be the first affected, with attendance required from the end of February 2026. In a blog post, Microsoft Chief People Officer Amy Coleman said those seeking exemptions must appeal by 19 September. The company has not yet given a firm timetable for other US offices or international locations, but said further updates would follow.

“Our goal with this change is to provide more clarity and consistency in how we come together, while maintaining the flexibility we know you value,” Coleman wrote in a company blog post. She added that “we want you to continue to shape your schedule in ways that work best for you, making in-person time intentional and impactful”.

From remote champion to office mandate

The move marks a reversal from Microsoft's pandemic-era stance, when executives published research highlighting the effectiveness of remote work. Since then, many large US tech firms have tightened their expectations around in-person attendance. Amazon has already imposed a five-day office requirement, while Google, Meta, Intel, IBM, Dell and even Zoom have all set three-day or longer mandates.

Return-to-office policies remain contentious. Some companies (and politicians) argue that collaboration and culture benefit from in-person work, whilst others claim rigid mandates risk alienating staff who relocated during the remote boom or prefer flexible arrangements and can be discriminatory.

Microsoft attempted to address those concerns directly, stressing, “Importantly, this update is not about reducing headcount. It’s about working together in a way that enables us to meet our customers’ needs.”

For now, the phased approach will start in Puget Sound before expanding to other US sites while planning for locations outside the United States will begin in 2026. With the policy, Microsoft joins a widening group of technology giants seeking to re-establish office-based routines after years of hybrid experimentation.