Starting in January 2025, AT&T will require all its office-based employees to return to the workplace five days a week. This change marks a significant shift from the company’s current hybrid model, which allows staff to work from the office only three days a week. The new policy aligns with AT&T’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its in-person workforce and promote greater collaboration across the company.
Previously, the company had focused on bringing its management team back to the office, with 18,000 managers already working at central office hubs by the end of 2024. However, the upcoming mandate will affect all employees across various departments.
Rationalizing Office Locations
AT&T’s return-to-office strategy also includes consolidating its physical locations. CEO John Stankey explained in a Bloomberg Radio interview that the company has reduced its office footprint from a wide range of sites to just nine major hubs. These include the company’s Dallas headquarters, as well as key locations in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Seattle, St. Louis, San Ramon (California), and two sites in New Jersey.
AT&T has cited the need for in-person work to foster better collaboration and innovation. A company spokesperson noted that the majority of AT&T employees have continued to work in office locations full-time throughout the pandemic, reflecting the company’s belief that physical presence is crucial for long-term success.
Limited Flexibility for Employees
Despite the company’s ongoing efforts to improve workspaces and enhance benefits, the stricter RTO policy will offer little flexibility for employees. CEO Stankey acknowledged that while most managers live near the company’s primary hubs, the remaining employees—around 15%—may face personal challenges related to the new policy. These individuals may have to make difficult decisions about commuting or relocation.
Initially, AT&T planned to enforce the five-day workweek by January 2025, but the company has since delayed the full implementation. According to Business Insider, some office locations are not yet equipped to handle the increased number of employees. This delay has raised concerns among staff about the capacity of office spaces to accommodate everyone.
Industry-Wide Shift Toward In-Office Work
AT&T is not the only major company pushing for a return to the office. Similar moves have been seen across other industries, with companies like Amazon implementing full-time office policies. Amazon’s CEO, Andy Jassy, announced a similar requirement for his workforce in September 2024, but the decision sparked significant backlash from employees who valued the flexibility of remote work. A poll conducted by Blind, a job review site, revealed that over 90% of Amazon employees were dissatisfied with the new policy, and 73% of them considered resigning.
Amazon Web Services’ CEO Matt Garman also emphasized the importance of in-person work, arguing that innovation requires physical presence. However, his comments were met with resistance from employees who felt that remote work had allowed for better productivity and work-life balance during the pandemic.
Balancing Company Goals and Employee Preferences
The trend toward stricter return-to-office policies is growing among large corporations, as they seek to increase collaboration and innovation. However, these policies often create tension between management’s goals and employees’ preferences for more flexible work arrangements.
As AT&T rolls out its new office mandate, the company is improving its office environments and employee benefits to support the transition. Nevertheless, many workers may still feel uneasy about the shift, particularly those who are not close to the company’s designated hubs. Some employees may even reconsider their positions if they are unable to relocate or make the required commute.
