A recent report from Resume Builder found that 1 in 5 U.S. workers are not fully complying with their company’s return-to-office (RTO) mandates. Many workers prefer being in the office for three or fewer days per week, with half stating they would quit if forced to adhere to RTO policies. Stacie Haller, chief career advisor at Resume Builder, noted that remote work, initially a temporary solution during the pandemic, has now become essential for many employees due to the convenience, improved work-life balance, and avoidance of long commutes. As companies reintroduce in-office requirements, there has been significant pushback from employees who value the flexibility of remote work.
The report, which surveyed 1,030 full-time employees, found that 78% of workers follow their company’s RTO policies, while 22% only occasionally or rarely comply. Hybrid workers, required to be in the office 1-3 days a week, showed higher rates of noncompliance, with only 61% following the policy.
Satisfaction with RTO policies varies, with two-thirds of employees reporting they are somewhat or very satisfied, while 21% are dissatisfied. However, if companies enforce stricter RTO compliance, 20% of workers said they are very likely to leave their jobs, and 33% are somewhat likely to do so.
Employees cited several issues with RTO mandates, including long commute times and costs, a lack of flexibility, difficulty balancing personal responsibilities, office distractions, and reduced productivity. To boost satisfaction, many workers suggested raises, flexible work hours, transportation benefits, catered lunches, and wellness programs.
Despite employee pushback, some companies, like Amazon, are moving forward with plans to increase in-person workdays. In fact, 80% of employers reported losing talent due to RTO mandates, yet a quarter still plan to increase the number of required in-office days. Benefits such as commuter perks could help employees return to the office, potentially improving talent acquisition and retention while helping employees save money.
