Honda orders US staff back to the office by October. Read the memo.

Core Viewpoint - Honda has mandated a return-to-office (RTO) policy for its US-based employees, requiring them to work on-site at least 80% of their work week starting October 6, 2025, to foster collaboration and innovation in a competitive business environment [1][5][7]. Company Policy and Rationale - The decision for the RTO policy is driven by the need for increased collaboration and innovation, which Honda believes can be best achieved through in-person teamwork [5][7]. - The company emphasizes that spontaneous interactions among staff are critical for driving innovation and maintaining a customer-centric focus [2][7]. - Honda's leadership acknowledges the challenges associated with this workstyle change but believes it will strengthen the company for future competitiveness [4][10]. Implementation Timeline - Honda is providing a long timeline for associates to prepare for the transition, with the earliest date for reporting to the office being July 7, 2025 [3][9]. - The company is also evaluating how the RTO policy will impact facilities, including cafeterias and common spaces, to ease the transition for employees [3][9]. Employee Demographics - Honda employs approximately 30,000 associates in the US, with 75% working in manufacturing and 24% in sales, research and development, and finance [3].