In a sweeping move to intensify its return-to-office strategy, Google is now mandating that remote employees living within 50 miles of their offices must report for work at least three days a week. Failure to comply could result in termination.

This new policy comes on the heels of voluntary buyout programs launched for specific US teams, excluding high-profile divisions such as DeepMind and YouTube. Google executives argue that face-to-face interaction is essential for fostering innovation and maintaining employee engagement.

Mandatory Office Attendance: The New Normal at Google

Remote workers within 50 miles of any Google office are required to adopt a hybrid schedule before the end of September—either embrace this change or accept a severance package. The Knowledge & Information division, which manages core functions like Search, ads, and commerce, along with core engineering teams, will be particularly impacted by this directive. Senior Vice President Jen Fitzpatrick articulated the company's stance, stating, "In-person collaboration is irreplaceable when it comes to innovating together quickly."

A Call for Engagement: Google Executives’ Message to Employees

Fox, who heads the Knowledge & Information group, reinforced the importance of full employee engagement in his communication to staff, expressing, "I want each of us fully committed to shaping the future of our products." He encouraged those who are thriving in their roles to remain with the company but also acknowledged that the new policy might not sit well with everyone. For those feeling misaligned with Google’s mission or struggling with their responsibilities, he noted that the voluntary exit program offers a supportive alternative.

The Ongoing Shift in Google’s Work Paradigm

This announcement reflects Google’s broader efforts to tighten remote work policies. Beginning in April 2025, the company began requiring more employees to return to physical offices, incentivizing relocation for those not close to facilities. Following a round of significant layoffs in 2023 that saw 12,000 jobs cut, Google has been strategically offering buyouts while hiring selectively, focusing its resources on AI advancements and infrastructure upgrades.

Notably, while this latest directive does not impact teams in DeepMind, Google Cloud, or YouTube, specific office attendance mandates remain for YouTube employees who reside nearby.