Return-to-Office Mandates and the Future of Work

How remote, hybrid, or onsite work drives the employee experience

Flexible work has become an expectation for employees in the workplace.

However, remote work isn’t an option for every company — and many employers are eager to get their workforce back in the office.

Great Place To Work® research has found that where you work matters less than whether you have a mandate to work onsite, hybrid, or remotely.

Workers with mandates are less likely to want to stay with their company, have a good relationship with their manager, and give extra effort.

A diverse group of professionals engaged in a productive meeting, discussing ideas and collaborating in a well-lit meeting room.

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Report Highlights

Mandates pose risks to retention, productivity, engagement, and recruitment for onsite, hybrid, and remote workers.
Despite a 15% improvement in the employee experience since 2021, psychological and emotional health hasn’t budged for employees at typical U.S. workplaces.
At typical U.S. workplaces, fully remote employees are 27% more likely to report looking forward to coming to work than onsite workers.

The industry you work in determines the risks and benefits of remote, hybrid, or onsite work.
Employees who have a say in where they work have better relationships with their managers. 
Being able to choose where you work closes the gap in the employee experience between great workplaces and typical U.S. workplaces.

7 in 10

U.S. employees report their employer mandates where they work.

3x

Employees who can choose between remote, hybrid, or onsite work are three times more likely to want to stay at their company.

55%

Employees at typical U.S. workplaces say they have a psychologically and emotionally health workplace, compared to three in four employees at Great Place To Work Certified™ companies.

Remote work has benefits for employees at a typical U.S. workplace

However, employees at Great Place To Work Certified companies have stronger survey responses than the typical workplace, even if they work remotely.

When employers issue mandates, employees’ relationship with their manager suffers

Leaders should build systems to support relationships between managers and their direct reports, including listening programs, one-on-one meetings, and tools to navigate mental health concerns.

Flexibility is just one of the ways great workplaces offer a stronger employee experience

Find ways to offer flexibility, such as flextime, condensed work weeks, job sharing, or other tools that meet the needs of your people. Not sure what those needs are? Survey to find out.