In a significant policy shift, Instagram will require its employees based in the United States to work from the office for five days every week, starting February 2, 2026. This move establishes one of the strictest return-to-office mandates in the tech industry since the pandemic era.
Instagram Chief Drives Culture Shift for Creativity
The decision was communicated by Instagram head Adam Mosseri through an internal memo titled "Building a Winning Culture in 2026." Mosseri emphasised that in-person collaboration is crucial for fostering creativity and maintaining competitiveness, especially as the photo-sharing platform navigates increasing market pressures.
He pointed to the Instagram office in New York as a successful example, where a strong in-person culture is already evident. The policy specifically applies to Instagram staff in US offices who have assigned desks. A Meta spokesperson confirmed to CNBC that this mandate is exclusive to Instagram and does not extend to other Meta platforms like Facebook or WhatsApp, which continue under a three-day-per-week office requirement instituted in September 2023.
While mandating a full-time office presence, Mosseri noted that employees would retain some flexibility to work from home "when you need to," trusting them to use their judgment. The New York office will delay full implementation until space issues are resolved. Employees at Meta's Menlo Park campus will move from building MPK21 to MPK22 in late January to ensure desk availability.
Operational Overhaul: Fewer Meetings, More Prototypes
Beyond the strict return-to-office rule, Mosseri's memo outlined sweeping operational changes aimed at boosting productivity and cutting bureaucracy. A central theme is shifting focus from meetings to product development. All recurring meetings will be cancelled every six months and only reinstated if proven absolutely necessary.
Employees are encouraged to decline meetings that interfere with focused work time and to make one-on-one meetings biweekly by default. In a notable shift for product reviews, Mosseri mandated that teams should present working prototypes instead of slide decks, arguing that prototypes offer better proof of concept and understanding of social dynamics. Strategy documents are now limited to a maximum of three pages.
Navigating a Tough Road Ahead
Concluding the memo, Mosseri acknowledged that "2026 is going to be tough" but expressed confidence that these structural and cultural changes would position Instagram to advance "with creativity, boldness, and craft." The move signals a decisive step by Instagram's leadership to reshape its work culture amidst evolving market challenges, setting it apart from its parent company Meta's more hybrid approach.
