The era of flexible working at TikTok is coming to an end for its US employees. The ByteDance-owned social media platform has instructed its staff in the United States to return to the office five days a week, sources told Business Insider. This change primarily affects hybrid employees who were previously permitted at least one work-from-home day per week.
TikTok informed employees across various major business units as early as December 2026 about the expected full return to the office. Some teams, such as TikTok's e-commerce department, had already resumed a five-day office presence over a year ago. TikTok employs thousands of US staff across dozens of office locations in metropolitan areas, including its headquarters in Culver City in greater Los Angeles and across seven floors in The Durst Organization's One Five One Tower in New York's Times Square.
Developments in the Office Market
TikTok's decision comes at a time when return-to-office policies are gaining increasing prominence across industries and the country, as Commercial Observer previously reported. Office attendance in the US rose by 6 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2026, recording the smallest deviation from pre-pandemic levels during that period. This development continues to support post-pandemic office leasing in cities like New York, where surging demand has driven rents to record highs this year.
TikTok's move to curb remote work follows similar measures by competitors such as Instagram and Amazon. Amazon office employees returned to a five-day work week almost two years ago. Other major technology companies, including YouTube and Patreon, have, however, maintained their hybrid work models. A company spokesperson did not comment on the specifics of the new policy but emphasised that a “mix of remote, hybrid, and in-person employees” remains central to TikTok's approach to creating a productive and flexible work environment.
Location Strategy and Office Utilisation
TikTok's location strategy is dynamic. For instance, the company announced earlier this month the closure of its Nashville office with 250 employees, just two years after its opening. Such adjustments underscore the ongoing re-evaluation of office space and utilisation by large corporations, responding to changing requirements and operational efficiency.
