{
  "id": 15929216,
  "title": "Xbox mandates a four-day return to office",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/xbox-mandates-a-four-day-return-to-office",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-21T18:31:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Verge",
    "slug": "the-verge",
    "url": "https://www.theverge.com/report/1015733/xbox-return-to-office-policy-four-days"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Starting in February, Xbox employees living close to Microsoft's Redmond headquarters will need to return to the office more frequently, according to an internal memo obtained by The Verge. Microsoft previously required employees to work three days a week in the office last year, but is now increasing that requirement to four days per week for most Xbox employees. This change was prompted by feedback from Xbox employees and aims to encourage more collaboration and in-person work. Xbox chief people officer Jacinda Chislum Pearson stated that starting February 1st, 2027, Xbox employees within 50 commuting miles of Studio D in Redmond must work a minimum of four days a week. The memo suggests that established in-office practices for Xbox studios will remain unchanged, and existing exemptions for certain roles will need to be resubmitted. The updated return to office policy is being presented as a worthwhile investment for those living 40-50 miles away, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face collaboration, problem-solving, and gaming together to strengthen the Xbox community.",
  "summary": "Microsoft asked its employees to return to the office three days per week last year, and it's now upping this requirement to four days a week for most Xbox employees. An internal memo, seen by The Verge, describes the change as a \"need to create more opportunities for people to work together\" after feedback from […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Xbox mandates four-day office return for most employees starting Feb 1, 2027",
    "Employees within 50 miles of Redmond headquarters affected",
    "Change aims to boost collaboration and in-person work"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}