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Microsoft will require employees to work from the office at least three days a week starting January 2026, beginning in Puget Sound and expanding to other US and global locations.
The work-from-office for at least three days will be rolled out in three phases.
Microsoft is getting stricter on its work-from-office policy by making it mandatory for employees to come to the office for at least three days a week. The new strict rules will be enforced from January 2026, moving away from the flexible work policy being adopted by the tech giant since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ve looked at how our teams work best, and the data is clear: when people work together in person more often, they thrive — they are more energized, empowered, and they deliver stronger results. As we build the AI products that will define this era, we need the kind of energy and momentum that comes from smart people working side by side, solving challenging problems together,” Microsoft said in the blog post.
The work-from-office for at least three days will be rolled out in three phases:
1) starting in Puget Sound at the end of February;
2) expanding to other US locations;
3) then launching outside the US.
What you need to know:
Puget Sound-area employees: If employees live within 50 miles of a Microsoft office, they will be expected to work onsite three days a week by the end of February 2026. They will receive a personalized email today with more details.
Managers: They will find actions to take, and the resources to support them.
All employees: They will hear from their EVP or organizational leadership today with specific guidance. Each business will do what is best for their team, which means some groups will deviate from our company-wide expectations. If employees are outside of the Puget Sound area, they do not need to take any action at this time unless their EVP communicates otherwise.
Timelines and details for additional US office locations will be announced soon. For employees outside the United States, it will begin in 2026.
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst…Read More
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst… Read More
September 10, 2025, 07:09 IST
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