The great work-from-home experiment is far from over, but many companies are making big moves to bring employees back to the office.

Some, like Amazon and Boeing, are upping their return-to-office (RTO) requirements from three to four days a week, while others, Tesla being the most extreme, have pushed full-time, in-person work, with Elon Musk calling remote work “morally wrong.” On the flip side, companies like Paycor and Worksuite remain committed to fully remote models, leveraging flexibility as a hiring advantage.

And then there’s the middle ground: hybrid work, a compromise that 68% of employees say they prefer, according to World Economic Forum data.

The reality? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Employees still overwhelmingly prefer some level of remote work, 92% of workers globally want fully remote or hybrid options, but companies are grappling with how to maintain engagement, collaboration, and culture without mandating full-time office attendance.

Some businesses are using incentives, better amenities, flexible hours, even upgraded office spaces, to entice workers back. Others are relying on subtle (or not-so-subtle) pressure to gradually increase in-office presence. Meanwhile, only 18% of Fortune 500 companies require full-time, in-office work, while the rest still offer some level of flexibility.

The big question remains: Is the office essential, or is remote work still the new normal?

Why It Matters: The ongoing battle over where employees should work is reshaping everything from company culture and productivity to hiring strategies and office real estate. Organizations that miscalculate their approach risk losing top talent in a competitive job market, while those that get it right could unlock a new level of efficiency and collaboration.

• Return Mandates vs. Employee Preferences: Major corporations like Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, and Stellantis are tightening their RTO policies, while data shows that 92% of employees still want at least some remote flexibility. With only 18% of Fortune 500 companies requiring full-time office work, most businesses are treading carefully.

• Hybrid Models as a Middle Ground: Many companies, including Atrium and BambooHR, are expanding their in-office expectations while still allowing remote days. This approach seeks to maintain collaboration and culture while keeping employees happy. Currently, 68% of workers prefer hybrid work, making it the most popular model.

• Incentives to Return: Organizations like Sanofi and Northwestern Mutual are investing in better office spaces, enhanced amenities, and more flexibility to make the office more appealing. Some efforts are working, others, not so much. For instance, BambooHR expanded its office space, increasing in-person attendance from 50 to 200 employees per day.

• Remote Work as a Talent Strategy: Companies like Paycor and Worksuite have fully embraced remote models, arguing that they provide access to a wider talent pool, reduce costs, and boost employee satisfaction.

• The Future of RTO: Some experts believe employees will naturally return to offices over time as they recognize the benefits of in-person collaboration. However, 37% of business leaders suspect that RTO policies are being used as a way to push out employees without formal layoffs, leading to potential morale issues.

Go Deeper -> After Hybrid: Bringing Employees Back – Chief Executive