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Microsoft to require employees be back in

花匠小妙招
2025-09-11 04:17

by KOMO News Staff

Tue, September 9th 2025 at 1:43 PM

Updated Tue, September 9th 2025 at 1:44 PM

FILE - A Microsoft sign and logo are pictured at the company's headquarters, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Redmond, Wash. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond, File)

TOPICS:

MicrosoftEmployeesOfficeReturn-to-officeFlexible work policyCollaborationPuget SoundFebruary 2026

REDMOND, Wash. — Microsoft has announced a new "flexible" work policy requiring employees to be in the office three days a week, by the end of February 2026, Amy Coleman, Microsoft's executive vice president and chief people officer, announced Tuesday.

The company plans to implement this change in three phases, beginning in the Puget Sound area, expanding to other U.S. locations, and eventually launching outside the U.S.

"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 said.

The update is not intended to reduce headcount but to enhance collaboration to better meet customer needs, according to Coleman's message to employees.

In the AI era, we are moving faster than ever, building world-class technology that changes how people live and work, and how organizations everywhere operate. If you reflect on our history, the most meaningful breakthroughs happen when we build on each other’s ideas together, in real time.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 is also enhancing workplace safety and security measures to ensure a productive environment for all employees, according to Coleman.

Just last month, a pro-Palestinian group of self-described current and former Microsoft employees staged a sit-in at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond.

The group occupied Building 34, which houses the office of Microsoft President Brad Smith and other executives. The group was protesting the tech company's contracts with Israel.

READ MORE: Microsoft president speaks following pro-Palestinian protesters breaching building

Microsoft's return-to-office announcement follows other Seattle-area tech companies making similar decisions.

Two years ago, Amazon employees walked off the job amid their return-to-office orders.

READ MORE: Amazon employees plan to walk off the job amid return-to-office frustrations

The first phase of the plan involves Microsoft employees in the Puget Sound area. Specifically, those living within 50 miles of a Microsoft office will be expected to work on-site three days a week by the end of February 2026, according to Coleman.

The number of employees who will be part of the first phase is unspecified.

In May, Microsoft confirmed it was laying off nearly 3% of its entire workforce.

About 1,985 employees in Washington were laid off, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department. Of those workers, 1,510 worked in the office and 475 worked virtually.

Microsoft employed 228,000 full-time workers as of June 2024, with about 55% of those workers in the U.S.

Employees will receive guidance from their managers or other leadership, with some groups potentially deviating from company-wide expectations, according to Coleman.

Microsoft plans to share details for additional U.S. office locations soon, and return to office plans for employees outside the U.S. will begin in 2026.