Feature
The return-to-office push has continued in 2025, in spite of the fundamental changes to the workplace since COVID. Rather than just a return to how things used to be, a transition back to full on-site work requires organizations adapt their physical and technological infrastructure to accommodate the new reality.
Companies have had mixed results in meeting the challenge. While some have redesigned office spaces, upgraded technology and implemented new policies to support hybrid work, others have stranded employees without a desk, a laptop or basic bandwidth to do their work. The success of an RTO strategy hinges on how well organizations can align their infrastructure with employee needs and business goals.
The State of RTO in 2025
The number of companies introducing RTO mandates is growing. Among the marquee announcements were:
- Amazon: Announced plans to end remote work starting in 2025, with all employees required to work five days a week in the office.
- Dell: Called its global workforce back to the office full-time starting March 3, 2025, with exceptions for those living far from an office.
- Disney: Implemented a policy requiring hybrid staff to return to the office four days a week starting March 2023.
- IBM: Required US managers to report to an office or client location at least three days a week, with staff needing to relocate if necessary.
- JPMorgan: Initially required managing directors to work in person five days a week. Earlier this month it extended the policy to the entire workforce.
However, research carried out by Lucid last year pinpointed shortcomings in enablement of hybrid and office-based teams. Based on a survey of 2,500 knowledge workers globally, the report identified the greatest problem derived from the lack of collaboration training and, more importantly, enablement of hybrid and/or RTO policies for workers at all levels. The survey also showed that:
- Only 39% report their organization has equipped meeting rooms with technology to support both remote and in-office team members.
- Only 37% said their company provided hybrid facilitation or collaboration training.
Tellingly, the survey found a discrepancy between managers' perception of how effectively they are facilitating a return to the office (50%) and the perception of entry-level employees (40%) regarding the same effort.
Is Your Physical Space Supporting RTO?
For RTOs to be successful, leaders need to reexamine their offices to ascertain whether — or not — they enable workers, Cisco SVP and GM Snorre Kjesbu told Reworked. "For people to want to come to the office, companies must fundamentally reimagine and reconfigure workspaces to provide seamless and immersive collaboration experiences. Designing reimagined spaces takes careful consideration of technology and real estate, and reviews from various stakeholders in IT, facilities and even HR," he said.
He said the design and deployment of collaborative workspaces will be significantly streamlined in 2025 as workplace leaders turn to AI to provide customized recommendations for room layouts, audio coverage and screen visibility, based on the specific needs of the organization.
Businesses will be able to create optimized collaboration environments quickly and cost-effectively as a result, Kjebsu continued, accelerating workplace transformation and enhancing employee productivity.
The integration of AI into meeting room devices will further augment augment employee productivity. The combination of collaboration device technology with AI means employees will benefit from AI-generated catch-up summaries, writing assistance, action items and more during an in-person meeting.
RTO or Not, Flexibility Still Needed
Organizations are already creating office spaces that incorporate more flexible designs, with both shared spaces and private spaces said Vialto Partners global leader of workforce transformation Eileen Mullaney. They're also enhancing technology for hybrid work and client collaboration as well as enhanced health and safety systems like ventilation and touchless systems.
However, in spite of the RTO push, Mullaney advises organizations design the spaces to also support hybrid work, as it is unlikely that style of work will disappear.
“It's critical that spaces can support in-person and remote work at the same time. This enables easy collaboration regardless of where employees or customers are located,” she said. "Generally, this includes flexible work environments with areas for virtual meetings with the technology that enables hybrid communications, like video conferencing and physical screens."
She acknowledges that workers continue to show considerable resistance, in spite of the adaptations. While each company is handling the challenge of RTO differently, in general, they are focusing on communication to highlight the benefits of working in the office, Mullaney said.
They are also introducing new flexibility options, such as variable work hours and schedules. She advised companies eager to return to office to set a realistic transition period and understand employee concerns rather than simply enforcing a mandate.
Companies are tracking various metrics to measure the success of these efforts, including employee engagement, employee net promoter scores, surveys, feedback mechanisms and focus groups, she continued. Productivity and business metrics tied to roles, employee performance and overall deliverable quality are also of interest as are tracking employee-related costs such as utilization rates, absenteeism and workers' compensation claims. Finally, evaluation of the effectiveness of workspaces and policies related to the return-to-office transition need to be watched.
The Elements of a Successful RTO
Team involvement in the planning process helps ensure a successful return-to-office (RTO) transition, Hubstaff CEO Jared Brown told Reworked. Employee input on how the RTO plan is structured, what measures would help ease the transition and more will help gain buy-in, he said.
Brown echoes Mullaney in the need for flexibility to help "sell" the plan. He suggests flexibility in start and end times to allow employees to better balance personal and family responsibilities not only reduces friction but also demonstrates that the organization values their well-being beyond the workplace.
Incentives to encourage employees to return to the office can also be used, such as upgraded equipment like high-resolution monitors and standing desks, comfortable work pods for focused solo tasks or a well-stocked break room can contribute to a more appealing and productive work environment.
Inadequate tech infrastructure continues to hamper RTO plans HP president of digital services Faisal Masud told Reworked. Employees encounter a sea of apps, devices, forced updates and defective equipment, which reduces productivity and morale. “In today’s competitive job market, especially with tech-savvy Gen Z, a fragmented digital experience harms retention. If companies want people back in the office, they’ve got to offer top-notch tech and create a work vibe that employees want to be a part of — otherwise, good talent will walk,” he said.
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To ensure a smooth return to work, organizations should simplify their tech stack, focus on essential tools and use AI for automation, Masud said. AI bots can address employee needs instantly, while IT can leverage data insights to prevent system failures and improve efficiency. "We all know that a cohesive tech infrastructure reduces frustration and boosts productivity," he concluded.
Editor's Note: Read more about the RTO debate below:
- Turning Your Office Into a 'Work Resort' Is the Latest Lure for RTO. It Won't Work — In the latest attempt to get employees back in the office, some businesses are exploring 'work resorts,' 2024's equivalent of the office foosball table.
- Design Better Hybrid Workplace Experiences With Empathy — Start by identifying underlying needs and working back toward the solution, not the other way around.
- Return-to-Office Myths, Realities and the Future of Work — It's time we have an honest and open conversation about the way we work, and it starts by unpacking some of the biggest RTO myths.