NEWS / Economy

Home Depot Lays Off 800 Workers, Mandates Office Return

Briefs Finance

Published Jan 28, 2026

A cardboard box with office supplies, a laptop, mug, hard hat, and orange vest sits on a desk in an empty office—echoing Home Depot layoffs as rows of unoccupied workstations await an uncertain office return.

Summary:

Home Depot has laid off 800 workers, with about 150 at its Atlanta headquarters.

CEO Ted Decker announced a return to the office five days a week starting April 6.

The company aims to increase "speed and agility" and simplify operations.

Layoffs and Return to Office Policy

On Wednesday, Home Depot announced it is laying off 800 workers. Around 150 of these employees are based at the company's headquarters in Atlanta, while the rest work remotely.

Most of the affected employees are from the technology department and other corporate teams. In a message to employees, CEO Ted Decker stated that corporate employees will be required to return to the office five days a week starting the week of April 6.

Reasons for Changes

Decker explained that these changes are aimed at increasing the company's "speed and agility." He emphasized that simplifying the business will help focus energy on upcoming priorities.

He also noted that in-person engagement is essential for providing meaningful support to store and field associates. This approach is intended to drive results and strengthen the company's people-centric culture.

Sales Performance and Market Challenges

Home Depot has been facing weaker-than-expected sales recently. The company has attributed this slowdown to several factors, including high mortgage rates, economic uncertainty, and consumers being cautious about spending on expensive home improvement projects.

These challenges have impacted the retail giant's overall performance.

Earnings Expectations

In November 2025, Home Depot reported its earnings results, missing Wall Street's expectations for the third consecutive quarter. Looking ahead, the company forecasts that its full-year fiscal 2025 sales will increase by approximately 3%.

Additionally, comparable sales, which exclude the impact of factors like new store openings, are expected to be slightly positive.

Stock Performance

Regarding stock performance, Home Depot shares have declined by about 10% over the past year. In contrast, the S&P 500 has gained 15% during the same period.

However, so far this year, Home Depot's stock has risen about 9%, outperforming the S&P 500, which has seen gains of nearly 2%.