Paramount Skydance’s return-to-office (RTO) policy took effect this week. As part of the return-to-office policy the employees in New York and Los Angeles offices will now have to work on-site five days a week.

The return-to-office mandate was first announced by Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison in September last year. This new policy marks a significant shift for the company as it seeks to strengthen in-person collaboration. The company has also made it clear that the employees who could not or chose not to comply with the new requirement were offered severance packages. Paramount also confirmed that about 600 workers accepted severance, underscoring the scale of the transition.

Staff not assigned to offices are part of “Phase 2” of the rollout, with details expected later this year.

David Ellison’s email to employees

As reported by Business Insider, in a companywide email, Ellison thanked staff for their flexibility and commitment during the first week back. “I know that returning to the office full-time has been an adjustment for many, and I truly appreciate the flexibility and commitment you’ve shown,” he wrote. Ellison added that the “positive energy and increased productivity” from being together in person were already evident.

He also praised the RTO Task Force for preparing offices to accommodate the surge of returning employees, ensuring a smooth transition.

Read David Ellison's full memo to employees here:

Team Paramount,As we wrap up our first week back together in our LA and NY offices, I want to thank each of you for your dedication, professionalism, and teamwork. I know that returning to the office full-time has been an adjustment for many, and I truly appreciate the flexibility and commitment you've shown. The positive energy and increased productivity that come from being together in-person are already evident, and it's great to see.A special thank you to our RTO Task Force and all the teams involved for their hard work behind the scenes to prepare for our return and to ensure the transition was smooth and welcoming for everyone.It's hard to believe we launched the new Paramount just five months ago, and in that short time we haven't just set a strategy — we've acted on it. In the process, we've made real and meaningful progress against our North Star priorities. From day one, our goal has been clear: to transform Paramount for the future by championing great storytellers, investing in world-class technology, and making bold, thoughtful moves that position us to help define the next era of entertainment. That's exactly what we've been doing — and it's what we'll continue to do together.While the coming year will bring its share of challenges, it will also be exciting. We've set ambitious goals, and we're confident we have the strategy, the momentum, and — most importantly — the team to achieve them. Your expertise, resilience, and commitment give me tremendous confidence in what we can accomplish. I am grateful for your efforts and incredibly proud to work alongside you.Thanks again for a great first week back together. Let's go!Best,David