Announces return-to-office expectations

In a major update to Microsoft’s workplace strategy, Chief People Officer Amy Coleman announced that the company is revising its flexible work expectations to require employees to spend at least three days per week working in the office, with full implementation planned by the end of February 2026. The change reflects Microsoft’s belief that in-person collaboration drives stronger performance and innovation, particularly as the company focuses heavily on its artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives. According to Coleman’s communication to staff, the policy will be rolled out in three phases, beginning with employees living near the Puget Sound/Redmond headquarters, followed by other U.S. locations, and then expanding internationally. This shift marks a meaningful evolution from the looser hybrid arrangements that characterized much of the post‑pandemic work era.