Instagram requires all employees to return to the office full-time by 2026

Starting February 2, 2026, all Instagram employees will be required to work on-site full time. Staff members at the social media companys offices in the US, where desks are assigned, will need to spend five days a week in person.

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri shared the update in an internal note, describing the upcoming changes as part of the companys need to adapt. He acknowledged that next year "will be challenging" for employees.

While the policy emphasizes in-office work, employees can still work remotely when necessary, with Mosseri encouraging them to exercise their judgment on when to use this flexibility.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many tech firms have favored hybrid models. Meta, for instance, implemented a three-day in-office policy in 2023. Despite leadership highlighting the advantages of being on-site, many workers have been hesitant to return to traditional office routines.

In addition to the return-to-office plan, Mosseri outlined several initiatives to make Instagram "more agile and innovative." These include reducing recurring meetings, which will now be canceled every six months unless deemed essential, favoring prototypes of products over formal presentation decks, and streamlining decision-making to remove delays.

Author: Maya Henderson