The Great Office Return: Will Companies Continue Pushing Employees Back to the Office in 2025?

Over the past year, the trend of companies calling employees back to the office has been gaining momentum. What began as a cautious experiment in 2021 and 2022 had now turned into a deliberate corporate shift in 2024. With major players like Amazon, Zoom, and JPMorgan Chase spearheading the return-to-office (RTO) mandates, this exemplifies that companies are re-evaluating the role of remote work in a post-pandemic world. But will this trend continue into 2025, or are businesses setting themselves up for resistance and reconsideration? Why Are Companies Pushing the Return to Office? Employee Reactions: Resistance and Negotiation Despite the corporate enthusiasm for a return to the office, employee sentiment has been mixed. Survey results released in 2024 reveal that: The talent market remains highly competitive, and businesses enforcing rigid RTO policies risk losing top performers who prioritize flexibility. How to Manage Employees Who Refuse to Return. Managing employees who resist returning to the office requires a balanced approach. Companies need to be committed to addressing employees’ concerns and finding solutions that work for everyone, such as: Conclusion: Is a Hybrid Model the Future? While the push for a return to the office is undeniable in 2024, it remains unlikely that full-time office work will become the universal norm again. Hybrid models appear to be the most sustainable middle ground, offering businesses the collaboration they desire while allowing employees the flexibility they have come to expect. If companies hope to maintain a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining talent, they must listen to their workforce and adapt to the evolving definitions of work. As we move into 2025, organizations that embrace flexibility, leverage new technologies and foster in-person collaboration strategically—rather than mandating it—will be best positioned for success. Written by: Gaelle Le Rhun, HR, Associate