AT&T mandates full office return following Amazon’s lead
TEXAS, UNITED STATES — AT&T is implementing a mandatory five-day office attendance policy for all office employees starting January 2025. This move marks a complete reversal from their previous three-day weekly requirement at nine corporate hubs across the United States.
Impact on workforce
The telecom giant’s decision affects thousands of employees who had adapted to a hybrid schedule since the pandemic. While many AT&T employees continued working on-site throughout the pandemic, this mandate represents a substantial change for those who embraced flexible arrangements.
“The majority of our employees and leaders never stopped working on location for the full work week—including during the pandemic,” a spokesperson from AT&T told Business Insider.
“As we continue to evolve our model, we are enhancing our facilities and workspaces, adapting our benefits programs, and incorporating best practices to ensure our employees are best equipped to serve our customers.”
Facility preparations and challenges
The shift has sparked mixed reactions among employees, with discussions on social media platforms like Reddit highlighting concerns about the capacity and readiness of offices to handle all employees simultaneously.
In response, AT&T reassured that updates to their facilities are underway to support the new policy. The company has already expanded its presence in Atlanta, securing lease agreements for previously vacated office buildings, according to CoStar.
Broader corporate trend
This shift reflects a broader corporate trend, though it contrasts with a Korn Ferry survey showing that only 43% of employers globally now require five-day office attendance, compared to 89% before the pandemic.
The move positions AT&T among other major corporations like Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, and Goldman Sachs that have recently tightened their in-office work policies.
