Microsoft's new office rules: Three-day office attendance or employees may lose...

Microsoft is officially ending its flexible remote work era, delivering an ultimatum to employees: work from the office at least three days per week or potentially face career limitations.

The Redmond giant's new policy signals a dramatic shift from its pandemic-era flexibility, with implementation beginning February 2026.The mandate starts with Seattle-area employees living within 50 miles of Microsoft offices, according to Chief People Officer Amy Coleman's internal memo. Workers who fail to comply could find themselves at a disadvantage as the company increasingly emphasises in-person collaboration for career advancement."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 energised, empowered, and they deliver stronger results," Coleman stated, suggesting remote workers may struggle to demonstrate their value.

Not coming to office three days a week could impact employees’ performance reviews and promotions

The policy arrives amid Microsoft's broader crackdown on employee performance, including recent layoffs of thousands deemed underperformers and accelerated improvement plans designed to exit struggling staff.

This context suggests employees who resist the office mandate may face heightened scrutiny during evaluations.The rollout follows a three-phase approach: Puget Sound area first, then other US locations, and finally international offices in 2026. Employees have until September 19 to request exceptions, though approval criteria remain unclear.

Remote workers may lose access to important projects and leadership opportunities

Coleman emphasised that AI product development—Microsoft's current priority—requires "smart people working side by side, solving challenging problems together."

This language implies remote workers might be excluded from high-visibility projects crucial for career advancement.Certain roles including account management, consulting, and field marketing will be exempt due to customer requirements. However, for most employees, the message is clear: embrace the office return or risk being sidelined in Microsoft's future growth plans.