Tech Giants Tighten Office Mandates Amid Shift in Strategy

After championing flexible work for years, major tech companies are now tightening in-office requirements, signaling a strategic pivot in workplace expectations.

Google and Intel are leading the charge. Google recently issued a firm directive: employees living within 50 miles of an office must attend in person at least three days a week or risk termination. Intel, under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, announced a move to four days a week starting this September—part of a broader restructuring aimed at revitalizing the company.

Tan emphasized that in-person work is critical for collaboration and faster decision-making, calling vibrant office hubs essential to Intel’s culture and future growth. This shift coincides with Intel’s plan to reduce its global workforce by up to 20%.

While Google’s hybrid policy has been in place for some time, its enforcement has sharpened. Remote roles are being reassessed, and positions once eligible for remote work are seeing that status revoked, reflecting a push to restore pre-pandemic norms.

Other tech leaders—including Amazon, Meta, TikTok, and Microsoft—are also increasing in-person requirements, with some moving toward full office attendance. Landlords and market analysts see these mandates as a potential boost for office demand, with 85% of CEOs in a recent KPMG survey expecting a full return to the five-day workweek, up from 64% last year.

However, while these mandates may bolster confidence in office leasing, tech firms remain cautious with real estate investments. Alphabet, despite ramping up hiring, continues to cut back on office space and focus on cost-efficiency. CFO Anat Ashkenazi noted that any savings will be redirected toward higher-priority growth initiatives.

The message is clear: while employees are being called back to the office, companies are reevaluating how—and where—they invest in physical space.

IPG is closely monitoring these shifts—get in touch with our team to discuss what evolving workplace strategies mean for your next real estate move.

Source: CoStar