Home Depot Lays Off 800 Workers, Orders Full Return to Office

Atlanta: Home Depot said on Wednesday it will lay off 800 employees and require corporate staff to return to the office five days a week, as the retailer looks to streamline operations amid slowing sales.

In a message to employees, Chief Executive Officer Ted Decker said the changes are aimed at improving the company’s “speed and agility” and strengthening collaboration across teams.

A company spokesperson confirmed that about 150 of the affected roles were based at Home Depot’s headquarters in Atlanta, while the remaining positions were remote. Most of the job cuts impact the company’s technology division, with additional reductions across other corporate teams.

The new in-office policy will take effect during the week of April 6, Decker said. He described the move as necessary to simplify the business and improve support for store and field employees.

Home Depot has been facing weaker-than-expected sales as high mortgage rates and economic uncertainty weigh on housing turnover and large home renovation projects. The retailer has missed Wall Street earnings expectations for three consecutive quarters.

In November, the company said it expects fiscal 2025 sales to rise about 3%, with comparable sales turning slightly positive.

Home Depot shares have fallen about 10% over the past year, though the stock is up roughly 9% so far this year. The company is scheduled to report its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings on February 24.