Verizon Ups RTO To 3 Days/Week, Leases Larger Headquarters
Verizon Communications has updated its return-to-office (RTO) policy, requiring management and corporate employees approved for hybrid work to report to the office three days per week starting the day after Labor Day. Previously, these employees were required to work eight days per month.
The change coincides with Verizon’s lease of 200,000 square feet of office space at the newly renovated Penn 2 tower near Manhattan’s Penn Station, where the company will consolidate more than 1,000 employees from two other New York City locations.
“We believe that our teams perform best when we are together,” a Verizon spokesman said in announcing the new policy.
Here’s everything you need to know about the story and Verizon’s overall return-to-office (RTO) strategy.
Context: A Shift From Prior Hybrid Flexibility
As recently as February 2025, Verizon had used its hybrid and remote options as a recruiting advantage over rival AT&T, which had implemented a five-day office mandate starting in January.
We covered the leaked recruiting email, highlighting some notable quotes:
- “Following the news of changing RTO policies across the industry, we’re reaching out to share helpful resources and potential hybrid/remote job opportunities across Verizon.“
- “If you have been personally affected by organizational policy changes or know anyone who has, we’re looking to add top talent to the V Team.”
- “If you’re looking for a culture of learning that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion with room to grow, our V Team may be the place for you.”
The new RTO mandate marks a significant departure from Verizon’s previous approach.
New Headquarters at Penn 2
The company’s new Manhattan headquarters, located at Penn 2, features 1.8 million square feet of office space with modern amenities including a rooftop park, pavilion, and auditorium seating for 300 people. Verizon will also open a retail store on the building’s ground floor. Penn 2 is now 60% occupied following Verizon’s lease.
Verizon plans to focus operations around three core campuses going forward:
- Global headquarters: New York City (Penn 2)
- Operational headquarters: Basking Ridge, N.J.
- Core campus: Irving, Texas
Verizon’s Current Return To Office Policy
- Return To Office Date: September 2, 2025
- Location Policy: Hybrid
- Office Visit Expectations: Three days per week
- Office Space Footprint: Increasing
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Verizon’s RTO Timeline
June 2, 2021: Verizon’s first RTO policy: Manager-led, primarily hybrid
- “Home-based: V Teamers whose work is performed almost exclusively from a home workspace with occasional in-person gatherings.
- Hybrid: V Teamers whose work is tied to a defined work location or area, but allows for flexibility to work from home and the office with a set schedule determined by their director.
For our U.S.-based employees, your leaders will share working models by this Friday, June 4. If you’re in the Hybrid working model, you will also learn your wave for timing on training and onboarding.”
September 27, 2021: RTO delayed
“Craig announced that hybrid employees in the U.S. won’t be required to start following their in-office schedules until early next year. The shift in timing will allow his team to review the forthcoming federal government requirements and understand how they may impact Verizon’s COVID-19 response.”
“Hybrid employees will be given at least 30 days notice before they are required to follow their in-office schedules.”
March 14, 2022: Hybrid schedules
“Here’s a reminder of our timeline for our hybrid work plans in the U.S.:
- March: V teamers should build back those office muscles, test and learn
- April: Official activation of hybrid plans”
September 2, 2025: Three days per week (current policy)
View All Return To Office Plans For The Fortune 500
Every month, we update every Fortune 500 company’s return-to-office policy. You can view the data below.
RTO news & sentiment by company: Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Apple, Bank Of America, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Meta (Facebook), Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo |
