It has been a year since Amazon unveiled its decision to call employees back for a full workweek, a move that has since set off a domino line of stricter attendance requirements that have helped bolster the national office market recovery.
Across the United States, companies are demanding more in-person time from employees, either by revoking remote work privileges, increasing the number of days they're required to be in an office or asking a portion of the workforce to relocate closer to a corporate hub. Those demands, a number of landlords say, are finally beginning to translate into a material boost in office leasing after the Seattle-based tech giant kicked off the trend a year ago this week.
"The primary drivers of leasing activity are corporate confidence and the in-person work behavior of our clients," BXP CEO Owen Thomas recently told analysts. "Corporations generally see a favorable environment for their businesses unfolding this year [and as] in-person work behaviors continue to improve, material shifts have undoubtedly augmented leasing activity."
The number of Fortune 100 companies that now require a five-day workweek in the office has soared to about 55% compared with the 5% reported two years ago, according to a recent JLL survey. Only 1% of companies continue to allow fully remote policies, the survey said.
About 35% of employees today work from home at least one day a week, according to research from the University of Pittsburgh School of Business. Yet with a slew of mandates scheduled to roll out at the beginning of next year, that figure is expected to drop even further from its earlier pandemic-era peak.
While companies leased more office space during the first three months of 2025 than in any quarter since 2019, those deals still remain smaller than pre-pandemic averages, and the nation's vacancy rate is at a historic high of 14.1%, according to CoStar data.
Yet the soon-to-be-implemented mandates could begin translating into larger spatial requirements — especially when fully remote workers are called back to physical office space.
"If employees already have a seat, there may not be much incremental upside to demand," said Phil Mobley, CoStar's national director of office analytics. "But there have been some caveats to that, which is something we've seen with companies like Amazon that have had to find space for workers that are now expected to show up to an office or are bringing on new hires to fill office-centric roles rather than remote-centric ones."
Here are some of the largest companies following in Amazon's wake with recently implemented plans to enforce stricter office attendance.
NBC Universal
Headquarters: New York City
In-person policy: The New York-based entertainment conglomerate told employees that, starting January 2026, all hybrid workers must commute to the office at least four days a week. Those disinclined to adhere to the mandate, an escalation from at least three days weekly, can instead choose what the company called a "voluntary exit assistance package."
What they say: "It has become increasingly clear that we are better when we are together," Adam Miller, NBCUniversal's chief operating officer, wrote in the memo. "As we have all experienced, in-person work and collaboration spark innovation, promote creativity, and build stronger connections."
Paramount Skydance
Headquarters: New York City
In-person policy: In the aftermath of its $8 billion merger with Skydance, the company has kicked off a widespread cost-cutting campaign demanding most of its workforce show up at either its New York or Los Angeles hub five days a week, starting in January. Workers disinclined to adhere to the escalated mandate can instead choose an "opt-in severance program," CEO David Ellison told Paramount employees in a recent company memo.
What they say: "To achieve what we've set out to do — and to truly unlock Paramount's full potential — we must make meaningful changes that position us for long-term success," the new CEO wrote. "These changes are about building a stronger, more connected and agile organization that can deliver on our goals and compete at the highest level."
Microsoft
Headquarters: Redmond, Washington
In-person policy: The tech giant issued a phased, mandatory return-to-office policy in which employees living within 50 miles of an office must be on-site at least three days a week. The new requirement will kick off in February 2026 for workers around its Washington headquarters and later for other office hubs.
What they say: "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 energized, empowered, and they deliver stronger results," Amy Coleman, Microsoft's executive vice president and chief people officer, wrote in a recent company memo. "As we build the [artificial intelligence] products that will define this era, we need the kind of energy and momentum that comes from smart people working side by side, solving challenging problems together."
Novo Nordisk
Headquarters: U.S. hub in Plainsboro, New Jersey
In-person policy: The multinational pharmaceutical company, known for making popular weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, told its global workforce earlier this month that in-office work will be mandatory at the start of next year. While there will be some flexibility for employees on an individual basis, the majority of the drugmaker's workers will be required to show up for a complete five-day workweek. The new policy was announced the day after the company decided to cut about 9,000 jobs.
What they say: "We are intending to implement a new global standard for office-based employees to work from the office five days per week," a Novo Nordisk spokesperson told CoStar News in an emailed statement. "This is designed to foster a stronger sense of belonging, strengthen relationships, enhance collaboration and accelerate decision-making processes."
Starbucks
Headquarters: Seattle
In-person policy: The coffee giant recently told its corporate employees that its current three-day office requirement would be bumped up to a minimum of four days, starting at the beginning of the company's fiscal year in October. Alongside the boosted attendance mandate, the coffee giant has also told workers within its support center division — many of whom have been working remotely — that they will have to relocate to Seattle or Toronto within the next year.
What they say: "We understand not everyone will agree with this approach," Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol recently told employees. "But as a company built on human connection, and given the scale of the turnaround ahead, we believe this is the right path."
Target
Headquarters: Minneapolis
In-person policy: The retailer is now asking employees across its merchandising division to return to its headquarters in downtown Minneapolis at least three days a week. Its headquarters reportedly houses about 7,100 Target employees.
What they say: "Team members tell us they see the benefit from the in-person connection and collaboration that's a part of being in the office," Brian Harper-Tibaldo, Target's director of media relations, said in a recent statement. "At this point, individual leaders are empowered to make decisions for their teams based on company guidance as well as what's best for the role they play in our business."