Microsoft is setting an even stricter RTO policy for its AI org, internal document shows

Microsoft has unveiled a new return-to-office (RTO) policy that imposes stricter requirements on employees within its AI division, which is led by CEO Mustafa Suleyman. According to an internal document, effective January 26, employees who reside within 25 to 50 miles of a Microsoft office will be mandated to work on-site four days a week. This policy applies specifically to those employees, with any exceptions needing approval from an executive reporting directly to Suleyman. In a recent communication, HR chief Amy Coleman informed staff that, while the company expects employees to be in the office at least three days a week, individual business units have the flexibility to adjust these expectations based on their unique needs. The introduction of this strict attendance policy comes as Microsoft intensifies its efforts to attract top AI talent in a competitive landscape dominated by companies like OpenAI, Meta, and Google. To support this initiative, Suleyman's team has established a specialized recruiting group focused on securing AI professionals, often offering lucrative compensation packages that run into multimillion-dollar figures to lure talent away from rivals.