Energy company Avangrid has ordered its employees back to the office five days a week, putting an end to remote-work arrangements established during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Orange-based publicly traded company announced it had fully implemented its new policy Monday afternoon, following similar announcements by other companies in recent weeks.
Seattle-based Amazon notified employees in September that they are expected to be back in the office five days a week starting Jan. 2, 2025, sparking a national debate.
Following suit, East Hartford jet-engine maker Pratt & Whitney confirmed last month that hybrid-work arrangements will end for most employees in mid-October.
Avangrid said its return-to-office policy is “a way to maximize efficiency, agility and increased engagement of its workforce.”
The policy was instituted in early 2024 and began requiring five-days in the office per week starting Sept. 1.
Between 2021 and Aug. 31 of this year, Avangrid operated on a hybrid policy with a three-day-a-week requirement for working in the office.
Avangrid has roughly 1,800 employees in Connecticut who work for its subsidiaries, including United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas, Connecticut Natural Gas, Avangrid Service Co. and Avangrid Management Co.
Avangrid said the policy has resulted in a 70% increase in occupancy of its nine main offices.
The company said it has created a “feedback loop” to help employees with the transition and has expanded its commuter benefits program. It’s also using the opportunity to “accelerate the investments we are making in our facilities across the country.”
Avangrid has about $45 billion in assets and operates in 24 U.S. states. It employs roughly 8,000 people.
Avangrid is owned by Spanish energy giant Iberdrola Group.
