Home Depot ends work-from-home and cuts 800 corporate jobs

Home Depot has cut about 800 corporate jobs and ordered its remaining corporate staff back to the office full time, marking a decisive shift away from remote work as the retailer restructures its operations.

The Atlanta-based home improvement chain said the layoffs are tied to its store support centre, while all corporate employees will now be required to work five days a week from the office, ending flexible and work-from-home arrangements.

In a statement to Fox Business, the company said the changes are aimed at simplifying its organisation and improving execution. “We’re simplifying our corporate operations to better support our stores and our customers,” Home Depot said, adding that the move is intended to “drive greater agility” and keep teams more closely connected to frontline staff.

The job cuts form part of a broader restructuring at the retailer, which has been grappling with slowing demand and pressure on profitability as higher interest rates weigh on home renovation spending.

According to Reuters, Home Depot is projecting a sharp decline in profit for fiscal 2025, underscoring the urgency of cost control and operational efficiency.

While Home Depot described the layoffs as a “difficult decision”, it said affected employees will receive separation packages, transitional benefits and job placement support.

Return-to-office mandate

The return-to-office directive places Home Depot among a growing list of large US employers rolling back pandemic-era flexibility. By requiring corporate staff to be physically present throughout the week, the company is betting that proximity will speed up decision-making and improve coordination with store-level operations.

Executives have argued that closer collaboration between corporate teams and frontline associates is critical at a time when consumer behaviour is shifting and competition remains intense.

Home Depot’s announcement comes amid a broader wave of job cuts across corporate America. Reuters has reported that companies including Amazon and United Parcel Service have also unveiled large-scale workforce reductions as they streamline operations and reassess growth plans.

For Home Depot, the message is clear: flexibility is taking a back seat to discipline, speed and tighter alignment with core retail operations as the company navigates a tougher operating environment.