AT&T CEO John Stankey has delivered a firm message to employees: comply with the company’s five-day return-to-office (RTO) mandate or consider finding a new job. In a memo sent to all managers on Friday, Stankey directly addressed internal concerns surrounding the new policy and its impact on employee morale.
Employee Engagement Drops Amid RTO Push
In the internal note, obtained by Business Insider, Stankey acknowledged employee discomfort as AT&T phases out its hybrid work model in favor of full-time in-office attendance.
The company’s recent engagement survey revealed that although 79% of 99,000 respondents said they felt committed to their work, there was an overall decline in engagement levels.
“I’m not surprised,” Stankey wrote. “We are midstream on a multi-year journey to build the company we want, not simply optimize the one we have.”
AT&T’s Office-First Culture: ‘Essential for Execution’
Earlier this year, AT&T officially ended remote flexibility for most staff, requiring them to be on-site five days a week. The shift has sparked internal friction, with employees citing limited desk availability, parking challenges, and work-life balance concerns.
But Stankey stood firm.
“If a self-directed, virtual, or hybrid work schedule is essential for you to manage your career aspirations and life challenges, you will have a difficult time aligning your priorities with those of the company and the culture we aim to establish,” he wrote.
He emphasized that in-person work is necessary to maintain collaboration and momentum for large-scale projects.
A New AT&T: Performance Over Tenure
The CEO also pointed to broader cultural changes happening at AT&T, noting a deliberate shift from a tenure-based, hierarchical system to a market-driven, performance-focused model. That includes updates to compensation structures, benefits, and job expectations.
“We have consciously shifted away from some of these elements and towards a more market-based culture — focused on rewarding capability, contribution, and commitment,” Stankey said.
Final Warning: Get on Board or Move On
In perhaps the memo’s most direct section, Stankey issued a final, unambiguous statement to any employee resisting the company’s in-office directive:
“We run a dynamic, customer-facing business, tackling large-scale, challenging initiatives. If the requirements dictated by this dynamic do not align to your personal desires, you have every right to find a career opportunity that is suitable to your aspirations and needs.”
