NBCUniversal recently declared that its hybrid workforce must start working from the office four days a week starting January 5. However, the company is now providing an alternative: employees can opt for a buyout.

Based on internal documents revealed by Business Insider, NBC is offering a severance package for those who prefer not to return to the office. This includes eight weeks of salary along with medical, dental, and vision coverage for three months post-departure. Eligible employees will also receive a complete bonus.

The severance does not consider the length of service for any extra compensation. Interested workers must reach out to their HR managers by October 3 to avail of this offer, according to BI.

This buyout option is only applicable to NBC employees up to the vice president level who are on a hybrid work schedule and are based in the U.S. and the U.K. They are required to remain on payroll until December 31 and must hand over their duties before departure. NBC, as noted by PitchBook, has around 60,000 employees globally.

Previously, NBCU staff followed a schedule where they worked from the office three days a week (Tuesday through Thursday), as reported by Variety. The updated policy would now include Mondays in the office.

Many organizations are enforcing RTO mandates in various sectors. Klarna, a buy now, pay later company, declared earlier this week that employees would need to work three days a week from the office starting September 29. Klarna recently became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and had a workforce of 3,422 by the end of 2024.

Microsoft is also requiring its employees to work from the office at least three days a week starting in February. Microsoft’s worldwide headcount as of June 30 was 228,000 employees, with 125,000 workers located in the U.S.

Other companies, like AT&T, JPMorgan, and Amazon, have already implemented RTO mandates this year, despite employee pushback.

A survey conducted by Bamboo HR last year found that around one in four C-Suite executives hoped strict RTO policies would prompt some employees to quit, calling the RTO orders “layoffs in disguise.” According to the study, around 40% of managers had to implement actual layoffs when fewer employees quit than expected after the RTO mandate.

Though executives have touted the benefits of in-person work for strengthening company culture and helping employees grow their careers, hybrid work also has its benefits.

A study published in the scientific journal Nature last year revealed no differences in productivity, performance, or promotion when comparing employees who went to work fully in-person for six months, and those who followed a hybrid schedule.