Many companies are pushing return-to-office (RTO) mandates, from hybrid models with minimum in-office days to full-time office returns. Why? Leadership likely grapples with balancing high office maintenance costs against low attendance, nudged by commercial real estate and third-party services (cafeterias, security, etc.) claiming workers "want" to return for better engagement.
But mandating RTO misses the mark. The office hasn’t evolved since COVID, while workers have. We adapted to remote work, mastering new tools and habits. Offices, once the only place for work—housing phones, files, and teams—are now often just glass boxes demanding commutes, expenses, and time for tasks we can do anywhere. Worse, the old cubicle setup persists, so we end up on Zoom calls in the office, even with colleagues elsewhere. Where’s the benefit?
I’m not against offices, but they need a rethink. Studies show employees crave connection, so offices should enable what remote work lacks: collaborative spaces, group training areas, or specialized setups (e.g., media rooms with pro-grade cameras, lighting, and audio for presentations). Think of your home as the cubicle and the office as a hub for meetings, teamwork, and social engagement.
What does the office mean to you? Share your thoughts!
