Here’s the scoop: big changes are brewing at The Washington Post. The Bezos-owned media giant has officially laid down the law for its employees—come back to the office five days a week, or consider your resignation accepted.
This policy shift, first reported by Semafor’s Max Tani, has left some staffers reeling, especially as the newsroom was already navigating the fallout from its controversial decision not to endorse a presidential candidate this election cycle.
In an internal Q&A shared Monday, The Washington Post management addressed employees’ concerns about the new policy, which was announced earlier this month. The message? Crystal clear. If employees don’t wish to return to a full-time, in-office schedule by June 2, management will “understand and accept their resignation.”
In an internal Q&A shared yesterday with staff, the Washington Post says it will accept the resignation of any employee who does not wish to return to the office five days a week https://t.co/WDuQkDPvad pic.twitter.com/zynXMiaUfx
— Max Tani (@maxwelltani) November 19, 2024
CEO William Lewis emphasized the benefits of in-person collaboration in the announcement, saying, “We are really good when we are working together in person.” Managers, for their part, have been given an even earlier deadline to comply, with their full-time office return expected by February 3.
This move isn’t entirely out of left field. The Post’s owner, Jeff Bezos, is no stranger to the return-to-office debate. His other venture, Amazon, recently instituted a similar policy for its employees, requiring them to return to their desks five days a week.
For The Post, however, the timing is particularly sensitive. Staff morale was already on shaky ground after management decided against endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in her presidential bid—a move that sparked outrage among readers and employees alike.
The fallout was dramatic: an estimated 250,000 subscribers canceled their accounts, and the newsroom saw resignations from two columnists and several editorial board members.
With tensions running high, the success of this full-time office return could hinge on how employees adapt—or resist—the new directive. While some staffers may value the opportunity for in-person collaboration, others might see this as the last straw in an already challenging work environment.
