Paramount to enforce full return to office by January 2026

A full-time return to the office has been mandated for Paramount employees beginning January 5, 2026, as reported by CNBC.  

The directive was outlined in a memo distributed to staff, in which it was stated that a buyout option would be available for employees unwilling to make the transition. The buyout window remained available until September 15, 2025.

The mandate has been introduced as Paramount Skydance seeks to remove $2 billion in costs following its recent merger. 

The return-to-office mandate is part of this effort, coming at a time when advertising losses and difficulties in the traditional cable industry are putting additional pressure on the business.

Reports indicate that 2,000 to 3,000 positions may be cut in early November 2025 as part of this broader cost-reduction strategy.

Executives have framed the RTO policy as a step that could facilitate workforce adjustments while emphasizing that in-person collaboration remains essential for long-term success and strengthening creative operations.

Phased Implementation Across Locations

The transition will be executed in two phases:

• Phase One will involve employees in Los Angeles and New York, who will be required to work in the office five days a week from January 2026.
• Phase Two will extend the mandate to offices outside these cities, including international locations. A similar buyout program is expected to be offered at that stage in 2026.

Employees were assured that flexibility and support would be provided during the transition period.

Return-to-Office Trends

Paramount’s move follows a broader trend among major companies pushing employees back to the office. Microsoft, for example, will require staff to work in offices at least three days a week. 

Amazon and JPMorgan Chase have also mandated full-time office returns, while companies like Meta and Google expect employees in offices three days a week

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