We know that many workers are dismayed – even angry – about the return to office mandates companies are starting to issue. It’s understandable. Going back to commuting, investing in a working wardrobe, eating lunch out, the flexibility… Everyone is afraid the cost and extra time will make you feel like you’ve lost something that has been working well for years. 

At XPG Recruit, we are seeing this trend with the requirements of the open jobs for our staffing and recruiting clients as only 25% of them are fully remote. At the same time, only 7% of them are fully in-office.  So while a 100% remote job is becoming more difficulty to acquire (or maintain), a new hybrid approach is the current trend where most companies require two to three days in the office and a smaller group requiring four days.   

There has been a focus on the unhappiness of employees in giving up a fully remote position, but there are also others who are embracing it.  According to a 2023 Gallup poll, 45% of employees said they preferred a hybrid model, working 2-3 days in the office and the rest remotely. However, 33% of employees wanted to return to the office full-time, reflecting the growing desire for in-office work, particularly among those who enjoy the structure or social aspects of working in person. 

While we know some may prefer to never set foot in the office, here are some things to consider. 

Being in the office is good for your career. One of the reasons managers want to have their teams together is so they can benefit from formal and informal mentoring. We’ve seen it on our own staff – when someone can turn to an associate next to them or walk down the hall to ask a quick question, they do, and they learn in real time. That simply doesn’t happen with remote workers. 

Studies have shown that workers who work together in person are also more innovative and more creative in solving problems. In person teams are more likely to share information and tips for success. They’re also more likely to help out by taking on more work when it’s needed.  

When workers are in the office, they’re also more visible to executives and managers from other divisions. That means you’ll be more likely to be considered for promotions or to serve on cross-functional teams. You’ll hear about opportunities through the office grapevine before they’re posted. Your career will be more likely to take off once people can see more of you than they can through a Zoom call screen. 

Being in the office is good for building relationships.  Nothing replaces personal interaction.  You cannot develop the same type of relationships remotely that you do in person. Plus, there are members of your team who are introverts and some who are quiet leaders whose best traits or best advice might not project as well over remote check ins.  Genuine friendships at work provide support, boost morale on bad days, and create moments that make it fun to come to work. You may love your Labradoodle, but he can’t advocate for why you should get that next promotion like someone who knows you personally and understands how you work. 

This trend is probably accelerating. You can run, but you probably can’t hide. Many companies are planning to require at least a couple of days in the office going forward.  They’ve seen losses in productivity, and they want to reconnect with their workers. And as more companies see this becoming a trend, more and more will require it.  

A 2024 report by PwC showed that 51% of employees in the staffing and recruiting sector felt more engaged when working in the office, compared to just 28% working remotely. This engagement boost was cited as a major factor in why firms were bringing employees back to the office.