Overview
- An internal memo from Xbox chief people officer Jacinda Chislum Pearson requires employees who live within 50 commuting miles of Studio D in Redmond to work at least four days a week starting February 1, 2027.
- The rule is limited to staff close to Microsoft’s Redmond campus and does not explicitly change established in-office practices for other Xbox studios.
- Employees who previously had exemptions must resubmit requests under the updated policy, putting managers in charge of making office days productive.
- The mandate arrives during a broader Xbox restructuring that Microsoft said will cut roughly 20 percent of Xbox roles by June 2027 and follows reporting of additional layoff rounds expected in the coming months.
- Coverage and analysts note this tighter return-to-office rule will increase commuting burdens and could prompt some employees to leave voluntarily, which may affect morale and overall headcount beyond formal layoffs.