It’s official, Microsoft is asking employees to return to the office three days per week. Amy Coleman, executive vice president and Microsoft’s chief people officer, revealed the news to Microsoft employees in a memo this morning.
“We’ve looked at how our teams work best, and the data is clear: when people work together in person more often, they thrive,” says Coleman. “With that in mind, we’re updating our flexible work expectations to three days a week in the office.”
Microsoft will start rolling out this return to the office policy in three phases, starting with employees in the Puget Sound area in late February before expanding to other US locations and then eventually international offices. Like I reported last month, the policy will initially apply to those who live within 50 miles of Microsoft’s Redmond campus. “If you live within 50 miles of a Microsoft office, you’ll be expected to work onsite three days a week by the end of February 2026,” says Coleman.
Some roles, like account management, consulting, and field marketing will be exempt because “they require flexibility to meet with customers or partners,” according to an FAQ seen by The Verge. Other employees will be able to apply for an exception by September 19th, and employees may qualify for an exception if they don’t have teammates, stakeholders, or clients at their assigned office or if their commute is “unusually long or complex, such as involving multiple transit modes.”
Some parts of Microsoft may even go beyond the minimum three-day policy. “Each business will do what is best for their team, which means some groups will deviate from our company-wide expectations,” says Coleman. I had heard last week that some teams may even return for four or five days.
Microsoft employees I spoke to last month agreed that this policy could be seen as a type of stealth layoffs, months after around 15,000 roles were cut. “Importantly, this update is not about reducing headcount,” claims Coleman. “It’s about working together in a way that enables us to meet our customers’ needs.”
Coleman and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella plan to discuss the return to office policy at Microsoft’s internal Employee Town Hall on Thursday.
Here’s Coleman’s memo in full:
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.
With that in mind, we’re updating our flexible work expectations to three days a week in the office.
We’ll roll this out in three phases: 1) starting in Puget Sound at the end of February; 2) expanding to other US locations; 3) and then launching outside the US.
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. We want you to continue to shape your schedule in ways that work best for you, making in-person time intentional and impactful. 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 some of you, this is not a change. For others this may be a bigger adjustment, which is exactly why we’re providing time to plan thoughtfully. As part of these updates, we’re also enhancing our workplace safety and security measures so we can continue to provide a workplace where every employee can do their best work.
What you need to know:
Puget Sound-area employees: If you live within 50 miles of a Microsoft office, you’ll be expected to work onsite three days a week by the end of February 2026. You’ll receive a personalized email today with more details. Please connect with your manager and team to understand your organization’s plans. If needed, you can request an exception by Friday, September 19.
Managers: You’ll find actions to take, and the resources to support both you and your team on the Managers@Microsoft SharePoint.
All employees: You’ll hear from your 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 you are outside of the Puget Sound area, you do not need to take any action at this time unless your EVP communicates otherwise.
Timelines and details for additional US office locations will be announced soon. For employees outside the United States, we will begin planning in 2026. More information is available on the Flexible Work at Microsoft SharePoint.
As always, we’ll keep learning together to ensure Microsoft is the best place for you to grow and have a great career. Let’s keep moving forward together.
Satya and I will talk more about this announcement at the Employee Town Hall on September 11 at 9:30 a.m. PT. I look forward to sharing more then.
Thank you,
Amy
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