Robinhood CEO Admits Remote-First Mistake Enforces Stricter Return-to-Office Policy for Executives

Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev has reversed his previous stance on remote work, admitting publicly that his 2022 decision to adopt a remote-first policy was a mistake. In a recent podcast appearance on the Cheeky Pint, Tenev announced a new return-to-office (RTO) policy requiring top executives at the $100 billion fintech company to return to the office five days a week. Managers are expected to be on-site four days per week, while individual contributors must work in the office at least three days per week [1]. Tenev explained that the policy is designed to ensure that leaders “are going through more pain than you,” implying that executives should not expect the same flexibility as their teams [1].

This shift reflects a broader trend among major tech firms, including Microsoft and Amazon, to tighten in-person work requirements. Amazon, for example, has moved to eliminate the practice known as “coffee badging”—where employees swipe into the office for short periods before leaving—by setting minimum-hour mandates for in-office days [1]. Microsoft is also reportedly planning a stricter RTO policy, reversing from its previous stance of allowing remote work for up to half of the time without approval [1]. These changes signal a corporate shift back toward in-office presence, particularly for leadership roles, as companies seek to reinforce internal culture and collaboration.

Tenev’s admission that the remote-first model was a mistake highlights the evolving nature of post-pandemic work policies. In 2022, he championed a fully remote structure, but he now acknowledges that such decisions can be reversed [1]. This flexibility is echoed by other tech leaders, such as Amazon’s Andy Jassy, who has emphasized the importance of in-person collaboration in fostering innovation [1]. Jassy stated in September 2024 that being in the office helps employees “learn, model, practice, and strengthen our culture,” as well as “collaborate, brainstorm, and invent more effectively” [1].

The return to office has, however, faced resistance from employees. A recent study found that remote work is now the top factor workers consider when evaluating job opportunities, even surpassing salary [1]. Moreover, 70% of remote or hybrid workers have indicated they would consider leaving their jobs if required to return full-time without a raise [1]. Despite this, larger firms continue to enforce stricter policies, while smaller companies are using remote work as a recruitment tool [1].

Robinhood’s revised RTO policy is notable for its focus on leadership accountability. By requiring executives to be in the office more frequently than the general workforce, Tenev aims to set an example for the broader company. This approach is intended to model the behavior he expects from his employees while reinforcing the company’s cultural values [1].

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[1] Robinhood CEO admits his RTO call was wrong and now says execs must be in the office 5 days a week: ‘Your manager is going through more pain than you’ (https://fortune.com/2025/08/14/robinhood-ceo-admits-rto-call-was-wrong/)