Robinhood Shares Climb on $3.76B Volume as CEO Reverses Remote-First Policy to Boost In-Office Accountability Ranking 18th in U.S. Equities

Robinhood Markets (HOOD) rose 1.92% on Thursday, with $3.76 billion in trading volume, ranking 18th among U.S. equities. The fintech platform’s CEO Vlad Tenev has reversed a 2022 remote-first policy, mandating executives to work in-office five days weekly to model accountability. Managers must now report four days weekly, while contributors are required to be on-site three days. This shift aligns with broader corporate trends as tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon tighten in-person work requirements to reinforce collaboration and culture.

Tenev admitted his 2022 remote-first decision was a misstep, emphasizing leadership visibility to ensure “your manager is going through more pain than you.” The policy mirrors Amazon’s elimination of “coffee badging”—employees swiping in briefly before leaving—and Microsoft’s rumored stricter RTO mandates. While 70% of remote/hybrid workers would consider leaving without raises, Tenev’s approach prioritizes cultural alignment through physical presence, particularly for leadership roles.

Despite employee resistance to full-time office returns, major firms continue enforcing stricter policies. Amazon’s Andy Jassy highlighted in-person collaboration as critical for maintaining innovation, while smaller companies leverage remote work for recruitment. Robinhood’s revised RTO framework aims to set an example for accountability, reinforcing the company’s post-pandemic operational strategy.

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