Paramount employees will be required to return to the office five days a week starting Jan. 5, 2026, under a mandate announced by Chairman and CEO David Ellison as the media conglomerate braces for major cost-cutting measures, CNBC reported.
Ellison told staff Thursday that the new policy is part of a sweeping effort to reshape the company after its $8 billion merger with Skydance Media. Employees unwilling to comply with the requirement can enter a buyout program open until Sept. 15.
"To achieve what we've set out to do — and to truly unlock Paramount's full potential — we must make meaningful changes that position us for long-term success," Ellison wrote in a memo obtained by CNBC.
"These changes are about building a stronger, more connected, and agile organization that can deliver on our goals and compete at the highest level. We have a lot to accomplish, and we're moving fast. We need to all be rowing in the same direction. And especially when you're dealing with a creative business like ours, that begins with being together in person."
The policy is widely viewed as a precursor to deep layoffs.
Variety reported last month that between 2,000 and 3,000 positions could be eliminated in early November as Paramount seeks to cut $2 billion from its budget. The company, like many in legacy media, has been grappling with sharp declines in advertising and the erosion of traditional cable television networks.
Phase one of Ellison's plan will require staff in Los Angeles and New York to return to full-time office work in January. A second phase in 2026 will extend the mandate to Paramount's other U.S. and international offices, where a separate buyout option will be offered.
"We recognize this represents a significant change for many, and we're committed to supporting you throughout this transition," Ellison told employees. "We will work closely with managers to ensure you have the time and flexibility to make the necessary adjustments."
The workforce shake-up coincides with Paramount's efforts to expand its media footprint. The company is reportedly in advanced talks to purchase Bari Weiss' startup, The Free Press, for up to $200 million.
According to the New York Post, the deal would elevate Weiss, a former New York Times opinion editor, to a top editorial role at CBS News — a move expected to intensify tensions in a newsroom already unsettled by corporate restructuring.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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