Return-to-office (RTO) mandates, such as those recently announced by JPMorgan Chase, Amazon, and the U.S. federal government, have sparked discussions across the country.
Many employees who have grown accustomed to working remotely or in hybrid arrangements feel uneasy about returning to full-time office work.
Whether you support remote work or not, it’s important to consider the challenges that both employers and employees face during this transition.
Challenges for employers
- Emotional Resistance and Morale
Change is hard, especially when it feels like a benefit—like remote work—is being taken away. Employees may feel frustrated or unmotivated. Employers can ease the transition by:- Giving employees a say in how RTO will work.
- Being transparent about why the change is happening.
- Sharing data to back up the decision.
- Staying open to feedback and flexible solutions.
- Showing empathy and understanding employees’ concerns.
- Building trust and avoiding micromanagement.
- Risk of Losing Employees
When morale drops, employees may start looking for other jobs. Employers can reduce turnover by:- Offering flexible arrangements to top performers while ensuring fairness.
- Creating career growth opportunities, like promotions or mentorship.
- Highlighting the benefits of being in the office, such as visibility and networking.
- Adjusting to New Office Dynamics
Returning to the office is a chance to improve the workplace experience. Employers can:- Use the office space to encourage collaboration and relationship-building.
- Rethink office layouts to support both teamwork and focused work.
- Bring in productive habits from remote work, like healthy break practices.
Challenges for employees
- Emotional Resistance
Many employees feel upset about returning to the office. To navigate this, ask yourself:- Why am I resisting this change?
- What can I control? What can’t I control?
Taking time to understand your feelings can help you make better decisions without acting impulsively.
- Turning Change Into Opportunity
RTO offers chances to build new routines. For example:- Use the commute as transition time to mentally switch between work and personal life.
- Refresh your wardrobe or take advantage of in-office benefits like gym access.
- Build stronger connections through face-to-face interactions.
- Finding Balance in the Office
Setting boundaries is crucial as office life resumes. Consider:- Discussing clear expectations for off-hours availability.
- Taking meaningful breaks to recharge.
- Focusing on in-person collaboration when it’s more effective than virtual meetings.
Remote work has proven to increase productivity, save costs, and boost well-being, but those benefits don’t have to disappear with RTO.
Both employers and employees can work together to adapt and create a positive, productive office environment. The key is to stay open-minded, communicate clearly, and embrace change thoughtfully.
