A number of Alabama Power employees have been instructed to spend more time in the office.

According to the company, the announcement this month affects a portion of hybrid employees who were working from the office on some days of the week, and outside the office on others.

A spokesman said the directive affects a little less than 1% of the total workforce. Alabama Power has more than 6,000 employees, with some working in offices and others working in the field.

The majority of the workforce with office positions returned to them more than three years ago after the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company reopened its business offices back in 2020.

“Alabama Power has a dedicated workforce that delivers around-the-clock operations to provide reliable service,” the company said in a statement. “The majority of our employees work onsite full time. A portion of roles is designated as hybrid. Expectations for hybrid job roles continue to evolve.”

Alabama Power is not alone. More companies are expected to issue so-called “return to work” orders in 2025, with Amazon, JP Morgan Chase, American Electric Power and AT&T, among those requiring more in-person employee interaction.

Data firm WTW says that more than two-thirds of companies globally have policies requiring employees to be in the office for a minimum number of days each week.

Most companies require employees to be on-site between one and four days per week, with more than a quarter preferring three days. More than half of organizations report having no set rules for on-site work, with employees free to choose, according to Forbes.