As companies implement return-to-office policies, hybrid work software remains to facilitate worker participation among corporate groups.
Recently, big companies such as Starbucks, Google, and Target instructed employees to work more days in the office. Collaboration tools, though, are still integral for hybrid operations. Office operators are investing more in such technologies to cater to office and remote workers.
Starbucks announced that corporate staff must return four days a week starting October. The company offered a one-time voluntary exit with compensation to those unwilling to comply. Earlier, CEO Brian Niccol warned that failure to work three days onsite could lead to dismissal.
At Target, commercial unit workers must return to the office at least three days weekly starting September 2. Staff can choose which days they prefer, according to a memo from Chief Commercial Officer Rick Gomez.
Other firms in Minnesota are making similar moves. 3M now requires employees to be onsite four days a week. U.S. Bank and General Mills also adopted three-day in-office mandates this year. Even the state government is encouraging office presence, with Governor Tim Walz urging workers to spend half their time at the workplace.
Walmart and Google also followed the lead, beginning new office presence policies. Google even introduced a voluntary departure plan for some U.S. employees and tightened policies for remote workers who lived close to corporate offices.
With these changes, though, hybrid work is still going strong. A June 2025 Cisco survey validated this trend. Around 72% of organizations currently need more in-office time. Almost half of the participants stated their hybrid work policies have a greater onsite presence requirement than they did before.
Nevertheless, firms are dependent on collaboration software to overcome geographic distances and secure high employee participation. Such applications continue to be essential in conforming to changing workforce assumptions.
Explore HR Tech News for the latest advancements in Human Resources Technologies and insightful updates from industry experts!
News Source: Hrdive.com
