Resistance persists as hybrid work gains ground
In defiance of resistance from their workforce, a recent study has determined that 90% of organizations intend to establish some form of a return-to-office (RTO) policy by the conclusion of 2024.
A survey conducted by ResumeBuilder.com has unveiled that 51% of organizations are already mandating that certain or all employees work on-site, while an additional 39% are contemplating the implementation of such policies by the close of 2024.
These directives are met with opposition from employees who prioritize flexibility in the post-pandemic work landscape. “The end of 2024 is still a distant horizon, and the job market is in constant flux,” remarked Stacie Haller, Chief Career Advisor at ResumeBuilder.com, in a statement. “It remains uncertain if businesses will follow through on their RTO plans, especially considering the recent backlash against prominent employers who have compelled staff to return to physical offices.”
The Implementation of RTO Policies Organizations either in the process of implementing or having already implemented their RTO policies are now recognizing the significance of hybrid work arrangements for their employees.
According to the report, only 36% of organizations with established RTO policies require employees to be present at the office five days a week. Among those intending to introduce RTO policies, a mere 19% intend to enforce a full five-day in-person workweek.
An overwhelming majority of employers (83%) with RTO plans are presently monitoring employee attendance, whereas only 70% of those in the planning phase for office returns have intentions to track attendance.
This development follows Google’s contentious attendance policy, which includes incorporating three days of in-office attendance into performance evaluations.
Nevertheless, Haller cautioned employers that there is no universal approach to RTO policies. “It’s crucial to recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach is unsuitable for RTO,” Haller emphasized. “The majority of business leaders preparing for RTO in 2024 appear to grasp that, to retain talent, they cannot compel unwilling employees back into physical offices.”
Promoting On-Site Return One of the primary reasons for resistance to RTO policies is that employees do not consider the return to the office as worth their commute.
In an attempt to surmount this obstacle, approximately 72% of business leaders indicated their intention to offer commuter benefits to encourage in-person work, as revealed in the report. In addition, they are contemplating adopting strategies similar to those of Meta and Amazon; approximately 28% of employers stated that their company would be prepared to terminate employees who do not adhere to the RTO policy.
However, Haller cautioned employers that enforcing RTO policies on recalcitrant employees could make talent retention and recruitment more challenging. “Companies may issue threats of termination over RTO policies, but they should bear in mind that, in numerous industries, this remains a highly competitive candidate market,” Haller cautioned.
