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AT&T CEO John Stankey has warned employees to either align with the telecom giant’s return-to-office (RTO) mandate or look for work elsewhere.
In an internal memo sent to all managers Stankey responded to a recent employee engagement survey that found 79% of 99,000 respondents felt committed to their work, while overall engagement had dropped.
“I’m not surprised,” Stankey wrote. “We are midstream on a multi-year journey to build the company we want, not simply optimize the one we have.”
The company began calling employees back to the office full-time earlier this year, ending its previous hybrid model. The change has proven unpopular with some workers, who cited logistical problems like desk shortages and parking issues.
Stankey doubled down on the company’s position in the memo, emphasizing the role in-office work plays in enabling large-scale projects.
“If a self-directed, virtual, or hybrid work schedule is essential for you to manage your career aspirations and life challenges, you will have a difficult time aligning your priorities with those of the company and the culture we aim to establish,” he wrote.
Culture shift reshapes expectations
The note reflects a broader cultural shift underway at AT&T, which is moving away from a structure that rewards tenure and hierarchy.
“We have consciously shifted away from some of these elements and towards a more market-based culture, focused on rewarding capability, contribution, and commitment,” he said.
The changes extend to compensation, benefits, and job expectations, as the company pushes for a performance-oriented approach that better aligns with evolving business goals.
Stankey made it clear that the transition to a five-day office schedule is final.
“We run a dynamic, customer-facing business, tackling large-scale, challenging initiatives,” he wrote. “If the requirements dictated by this dynamic do not align to your personal desires, you have every right to find a career opportunity that is suitable to your aspirations and needs.”
