Return to Office

words.Meta will require all U.S.-based Instagram staff to work onsite five days a week starting Feb 2, aiming to boost creativity, speed product prototyping, and improve AI tool development. The move, limited to Instagram, reflects a broader shift toward full‑time office mandates in tech, mirroring trends at companies like Amazon and Dell. Simultaneously, Instagram is setting under‑age accounts to private by default to address youth‑privacy concerns and pre‑empt regulatory action.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella addressed employee concerns about layoffs, return-to-office mandates, and company culture during an internal meeting. He acknowledged the need for rebuilding trust and improving leadership’s empathy. The company’s return-to-office policy has faced mixed reactions despite a broader industry trend. Microsoft’s financial performance remains strong, with a 24% increase in net income, driven by AI investments. Nadella also spoke to concerns about AI’s impact on jobs, ongoing scrutiny related to Azure’s use by the Israeli military, and instances of antisemitism affecting employees.

Microsoft is mandating employees return to the office at least three days a week, reversing its pandemic-era remote work policy. Starting in February, the policy will first affect employees near the Redmond headquarters before expanding. Microsoft’s CHRO cites the need for in-person collaboration to drive innovation, particularly in AI development, as the reason for the change. The move raises questions about employee satisfaction and may be an effort to optimize real estate and foster community. This decision tests whether Microsoft can balance in-person collaboration with employee flexibility.