Survey reveals 1 in 5 employees violate office return policies

It’s been more than four years since the pandemic hit the U.S. and made remote work commonplace, and as companies continue to try to lure employees back to the office, some workers say they’re ignoring pleas.

A new survey from ResumeBuilder.com found that one in five workers admit they aren’t following their employer’s back-to-the-office (RTO) policies, with some admitting to leaving early or even asking a co-worker to slip them or sign in during their absence – and the most common policy violators are those who work a hybrid schedule.

In the survey of more than 1,000 workers, 20% of respondents said they would quit their jobs if their employer began cracking down on compliance with RTO rules, and another 33% said they were somewhat likely to. followed suit.

When asked about the findings, Stacie Haller, principal career advisor at ResumeBuilder, said today’s workforce is demanding greater flexibility and control over how they work and now has more choices than ever before.

“Many employees resist returning to the office full-time because of the increased costs associated with travel and the impact on their work-life balance,” Haller told Fox Business. “Added travel, meal and utility expenses like pet sitting or extra childcare are often seen as a cut into their take-home pay, making the back-to-office policy feel like a pay cut.”

The survey results also highlighted the challenges workers have with their current RTO policies, topped by travel time (45%), lack of flexibility in working hours (34%) and the cost of travel (33 %). Workers said the raise, flexible start and finish times, and transportation benefits would improve their satisfaction with their current RTO policy.

Haller said employers who fail to acknowledge these concerns risk losing talent to companies that offer more flexible arrangements.

She argues that the demand for a more convenient work environment is not just a passing trend, but rather a shift that reflects broader changes in the way people prioritize time, money and overall work satisfaction.

Employers that push for a full-time back-to-the-office policy are likely to see more employees, Haller said, noting that some companies may be knowingly using RTO strikes as a way to reduce staff. without having to resort to formal layoffs.

She said this method allows businesses to reduce their workforce while avoiding the severance packages, legal complications or bad press that can come with traditional downsizing methods.

However, “Ultimately, rigid RTO requirements risk driving away the best talent, especially in a job market where workers now have more flexibility and choice than ever before,” Haller added. “Organizations that fail to adapt will lose out in the long run to those that embrace hybrid and remote work models.”