Companies are now facing pushback as they ask workers to return to the office after many employees embraced remote work during the pandemic. AT&T’s recent five-day RTO mandate in Atlanta prompted complaints of overcrowding, with workers saying there was a shortage of desks, parking lots and even work elevators despite motivational signs urging them to take the stairs.
Likewise, Amazon’s efforts to return to offices have stalled due to a lack of office space, with employees reporting a lack of desks, meeting and breakout spaces.
Some employees and experts believe that companies may use RTO directives to encourage voluntary departures, expecting frustrated employees to resign. A Blind survey found that 73% of Amazon employees would consider quitting their jobs, but that could backfire as a University of Pittsburgh report found that companies with RTOs have higher turnover rates, especially among skilled workers, senior employees and women staff. That kind of turnover has proven difficult to replace, especially in the tech and financial sectors.
Meanwhile, remote and hybrid companies are growing faster than their fully in-office counterparts, according to data from Revelio Labs. Preference for remote work remains strong, with 98% of employees in Buffer’s 2023 State of Remote Work report saying they want to work remotely, at least part-time, for the rest of their careers.
While there are claims that remote workers may be slightly less productive, the true cost—both in terms of real estate and employee retention—is harder to measure. In an overcrowded, noisy office, real productivity can fail.
