“2026 is going to be tough,” Instagram CEO tells workers after ending WFH

Social media platform Instagram has mandated that employees return to the office five days a week in 2026 and outlined additional measures to cut through bureaucracy.

The mandate applies to employees in US offices with assigned desks, according to an internal memo from Instagram, first reported by Alex Heath's Sources newsletter.

Instagram employees will still be able to work remotely “when they need to,” but have to “use their best judgment” about when to be flexible.

The company will aim to reduce the number of recurring meetings unless they are “absolutely necessary” and have more prototypes of product overviews rather than decks, the memo states.

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri says that changes are needed to make the company more nimble and creative, but warned that “2026 is going to be tough.”

Most US companies adopted some form of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

However, with social distancing and mask mandates now largely gone, many companies are reinstating work-from-office policies, citing the benefits of in-person collaboration.

In October, Google added limits to its “Work From Anywhere” policy, which previously allowed employees to work from a location outside of their main office for up to four weeks per year.

Microsoft announced a back-to-office policy, which will require employees living within a 50-mile radius of offices to work onsite at least three days a week.

Amazon scrapped its WFH policy entirely, claiming it is necessary for strengthening its culture and teams.

The onsite work mandates are returning despite widespread resistance among employees, who have found a better work-life balance in remote or hybrid work arrangements.

Nearly six in ten (58%) UK workers say they would either quit immediately or would start looking for a new job if required to work from the office full-time, according to a 2025 survey.

Meanwhile, data from the US shows that 69% of workers would accept a pay cut for the ability to work from home.

Unlock exclusive Cybernews content on YouTube