Microsoft Prepares Mandatory Office Return for 2026

Microsoft is planning a major shift back to in-person work. Starting January 2026, most employees within 50 miles of company campuses will be required to spend at least three days a week in the office, with some teams expected four or five days.

The tech giant initially embraced remote work during the 2020 pandemic, later formalizing a hybrid policy that let managers approve permanent home-based arrangements. Now, with COVID settled into an endemic phase, Microsoft cites internal data suggesting higher well-being and productivity among in-office staff.

The move mirrors similar policies at Amazon and Google. While it currently targets US employees, the shift signals a broader push to reshape workplace culture post-pandemic—even if some staff choose to leave rather than return.