Microsoft won't call workers back to office for 5-days-a-week unless…

While tech giants like Amazon and Dell are calling employees back to the office full-time (5-days-a-week), Microsoft is taking a different approach. The company has announced that it will not require employees to return to the office unless their productivity drops, according to a report.

Citing discussions in an internal meeting, Business Insider reported that Microsoft notes that this policy may change if employee productivity declines. This comes after the tech giant pitched hybrid work as a way to boost productivity and retain employees.

According to two employees who were present, the announcement was made by Scott Guthrie, the executive vice president of Microsoft's cloud and AI group.

Microsoft pitches hybrid work
Microsoft allows employees to work from home and sees it as a way to not only retain employees but also increase their productivity.

“If you make the time to do it right, your employees will be more engaged, more productive, and more connected, even when they're miles away,” Keith Boyd, a Microsoft IT senior director, wrote in an August post about the hybrid-work approach.

“And they'll be far less likely to leave for a competitor who has a more sophisticated and flexible model than you do,” Boyd added.

Amazon and Dell calls employees back to office full time
Amazon and Dell are two tech companies that have recently mandated employees to work in the office five days a week. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced that starting January 2, 2025, corporate employees will be required to work in the office five days a week. Jassy believes that working in the office improves innovation, collaboration, and company culture.

Meanwhile, Dell's global sales team is also required to work in the office five days a week, starting September 30, 2024, as it believes that working in the office is essential for collaboration and skill growth.