Microsoft is ending its flexible remote work era and requiring employees to return to offices at least three days a week. The mandate will begin in February 2026 for staff within 50 miles of its Seattle headquarters, before expanding to other U.S. offices and then internationally. Exceptions can be requested by September 19, though details remain unclear. The move aligns Microsoft with Meta and Google’s RTO policies and follows a year of performance pressure, including layoffs of low performers and stricter improvement plans.
