Amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, many companies transitioned to remote work setups, allowing their employees to work from home. Post-pandemic, firms like Instagram adopted a hybrid work model to offer more flexibility and reduce office attendance. However, Instagram has now joined a growing list of tech companies in discontinuing the hybrid work model.
Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, in an internal memo as reported by Alex Heath’s Sources newsletter, communicated the shift and set a deadline of February 2, 2026. The memo, titled “Building a Winning Culture in 2026,” outlined Mosseri’s expectations for the upcoming year, acknowledging the challenges but expressing optimism about the company’s trajectory and plans.
Instagram’s CEO Advocates for Pre-Pandemic In-Office Collaboration
Mosseri emphasized the value of in-person collaboration, a sentiment he believed in even before the pandemic. He stated, “I believe that we are more creative and collaborative when we are together in person.” Mosseri highlighted the strong in-person culture at the New York office as a testament to this belief.
All US employees with assigned desks at Instagram will be required to work in the office five days a week, starting February 2. Mosseri emphasized, “Starting February 2, I’m asking everyone in my rollup based in a US office with assigned desks to come back full time (five days a week).”
While employees have the option to work from home when necessary, Mosseri encouraged them to make wise decisions regarding their schedules, stating, “I trust you all to use your best judgment in figuring out how to adapt to this schedule.”
Designated Instagram Office Requirements
The transition to mandatory in-office work will apply to Instagram’s three US offices. Mosseri specified that New York office employees will return to the office once space constraints are addressed.
Additionally, Instagram will relocate its Menlo Park, California, office to MPK22 on January 26, 2026, ensuring all employees have assigned desks. Some staff may also have the option to switch to the San Francisco office for a shorter commute.
Reduced Meetings Initiative by Instagram CEO
Despite the daily office attendance requirement, Instagram employees can look forward to fewer meetings. Mosseri announced that the platform will periodically cancel all recurring meetings and only reintroduce essential ones every six months.
This move aligns Instagram with Amazon’s policy of bringing corporate employees back to the office full-time. While some tech giants like Alphabet, Apple, and Microsoft have opted for hybrid work arrangements, requiring three office days per week.