Skydance will move every employee to five days a week in the office, co-CEOs David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz told staff in a memo published by Deadline on October 26. The change will be phased in by location, and eligible staff are being offered a one-time Voluntary Buyout Program if they would rather leave.
Key takeaways
- All of Skydance moves to a five-day in-office week.
- The rollout is phased by location, with notice before each change.
- Eligible employees get an individual buyout offer with a deadline to decide.
- Some staff were already on five days; WBD staff had been on three.
- The biggest office hubs are Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta and London.
Why does this matter beyond one company?
A buyout paired with an office mandate gives staff a clear choice: come in full time or take a payment and go. It is one of the strictest policies announced this autumn, alongside NatWest's two-day rule and Xbox's four-day rule.
Should you take a buyout?
That depends on your savings, your notice terms and how quickly you can land another job. Read the full terms, check how it affects benefits, and ask HR questions in writing. Our guides on knowing when to leave a job and choosing your next path can help you weigh it up.
What is the background?
Skydance was formed from a series of media mergers, and it is now bringing teams with very different working patterns under one policy. Paramount-Skydance had already returned to five days a week, while Warner Bros. Discovery staff had worked three days in the office. Moving everyone to five days is one of the strictest policies at a large US media company.
Who does it affect?
Employees on hybrid schedules, especially those from the WBD side, and staff who live far from the main offices in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta and London. People who were hired on a hybrid basis may face the biggest change. Anyone offered the buyout has a fixed window to decide, so it matters to understand the terms quickly.
What should affected staff do?
- Read your buyout letter carefully: the amount, the deadline, what happens to health cover and whether it affects unemployment benefits.
- Get advice if the sum is large. A short call with a financial adviser or employment lawyer can save money.
- Compare the buyout with how long a job search might take in your field. Searches are taking longer in 2026.
- Ask HR every question in writing, and keep the replies.
- If you leave, see our guide on choosing your next career step.
What happens next?
The company says the move will be phased by location, with notice before each change, and that eligible staff will receive individual buyout letters with a decision window. More detail is expected through internal channels.
Source: Deadline, 26 October 2026.
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