Toyota mandates return to office for North American salaried staff

Toyota Motor North America has announced that salaried employees will be required to work onsite Monday through Thursday starting September 2025. The move aligns with the Japanese automaker with a growing number of organisations mandating regular in-office attendance post-pandemic.

The new policy applies to all job levels at Toyota Motor North America and Toyota Financial Services, with limited exceptions for specific roles. Employees will still have the option to work remotely on Fridays, contingent on business needs. Additionally, according to an internal memo, the policy will not be enforced during four weeklong periods each year, including the weeks around Independence Day and Labour Day.

Toyota clarified that the change is not intended to reduce headcount but emphasised that noncompliance could lead to “termination of employment”. The memo stated, “A more in-person work environment will help us work efficiently and effectively together and facilitate more mentoring and growth opportunities—ultimately strengthening our culture and team effectiveness.”

The Japanese automaker joins a growing list of prominent employers tightening return-to-office (RTO) policies. Organisations such as AT&T, Sweetgreen, and Amazon have recently instituted similar mandates, citing improved collaboration and stronger organisational culture as key drivers. Amazon has already outlined plans to require corporate employees to work onsite five days a week starting in 2025.

Wall Street firms have echoed this sentiment, linking in-office attendance to career progression. JPMorgan Chase, for instance, now mandates a five-day in-office schedule for its employees, highlighting the value of in-person mentoring and networking opportunities.

READ MORE: RTO mandate is not to drive voluntary turnover, says Amazon CEO

Automakers have also adjusted their workplace policies. Stellantis, for example, shifted from a 70% remote work model to a three-day-per-week in-office schedule. General Motors and Ford have introduced hybrid models requiring employees onsite three days a week. Nissan plans to implement a similar three-day minimum in the US by April 2025.

Despite these high-profile mandates, many office buildings remain underutilised. Data from Kastle Systems showed that offices in major US cities were only about 50% occupied compared to pre-pandemic levels throughout 2024. The Flex Index reported that just 32% of organisations enforced five-day in-office attendance by Q4 2024.

Toyota stated it consulted with suppliers, dealers, and other partners to determine the optimal Monday-Thursday schedule, ensuring consistent in-office presence. The new policy will also apply to temporary and contingent employees, as well as employees who have relocated away from company locations. Notably, Toyota’s factory employees have maintained an onsite work schedule of five days or more per week, reported Bloomberg.