Lately, it seems there are new headlines every week with companies announcing return-to-office mandates. But the debate over remote, hybrid, and in-office work is far from settled, especially if you ask employees.
GoTo recently commissioned a survey of 1,000 Americans to better understand their perspectives on return to office (RTO) trends, and the data suggests that most Americans remain unconvinced that spending five days a week in an office is the right approach – with many even willing to make career moves to preserve their remote or hybrid work arrangements. Ultimately, the findings highlight a persistent divide between organizational initiatives and employee preferences, underscoring the importance of rethinking how work gets done in the modern era.
Less Than Half of Americans Support a Return to More In-Person Work
Despite the push from many companies to bring employees back to office spaces, only 46% of Americans agree with returning to more in-person work. Even among Baby Boomers – often associated with traditional workplace norms – less than half (49%) are in favor. A generational breakdown reveals that while there are small variations in sentiment (Gen X: 45%, Millennials: 48%, Gen Z: 40%), the majority in every age group either oppose or are uncertain about return-to-office policies.
Gender also plays a role in the RTO debate: only 41% of women agree with returning to the office, compared to 51% of men. This suggests deeper implications tied to work-life balance and possibly caregiving responsibilities, issues that disproportionately affect women.
The Talent Conversation: A Dealbreaker for Many
Perhaps more significant than the lack of enthusiasm for RTO is the finding that 35% of Americans say they would consider changing jobs if their employer implemented a full-time in-office policy. For younger generations, this figure is even higher, with 40% of Millennials and 39% of Gen Z expressing their willingness to find a new employer if forced back into the office.
This trend should serve as a red flag for companies working to attract and retain top talent. In contrast, older generations – most of whom have spent a majority of their careers accustomed to in-person work – are less likely to make such a drastic move, with 36% of Gen X and only 10% of Baby Boomers considering leaving their job over RTO mandates. The takeaway for business leaders is clear: the appetite for remote and hybrid work isn’t going away anytime soon, especially among younger workers who will shape the future of the workforce.
The Pain Points of Returning to the Office
When it comes to the barriers of returning to in-person work, employees aren't holding back. Nearly 45% of respondents cite the additional time spent commuting as their biggest detriment. That’s an understandable frustration, given how the widespread shift to remote work freed up hours each week for personal or family time when it became the norm during the pandemic. On top of that, 30% feel that in-person work chips away at their work-life balance, and 26% believe it’s simply more expensive.
These costs, both in terms of time and money, underscore why employees are firmly advocating for flexible arrangements. They’ve tasted the benefits of remote work, from better control over their own schedules to cutting down on expenses, and they’re unlikely to relinquish them without resistance.
Flexibility Varies Region-to-Region
Interestingly, hybrid work schedules appear to be thriving in some regions more than others. In New England, 37% of workers report working hybrid schedules, compared to only 17% in the West, 15% in the Mid-Atlantic, and 14% in the Southwest. These regional discrepancies indicate that businesses operating in different areas of the country tend to offer varying levels of flexibility for their employees.
Rethinking the Future of Work
The survey results make one thing clear: a cookie-cutter approach to RTO is not a viable answer. The workforce has changed, and so have employee expectations. By clinging to the past, companies risk alienating their top performers and losing a competitive edge in the battle for talent. The solution? Embrace flexible working arrangements as a long-term strategy. Whether your team is remote, hybrid, or in-office, the goal should be providing the right tools and support to help employees succeed. When businesses meet their employees where they are, they unlock the potential for higher productivity, better collaboration, and increased job satisfaction. The future of work isn’t about where we work – it’s about how we work from anywhere. At GoTo, we’re proud to help companies navigate this shift and empower their teams with solutions that work for everyone.
Survey Methodology:
GoTo commissioned research from TEAM LEWIS, who surveyed 1,000 individuals in the US. All respondents were 18 or older, and the sample was census-balanced by age and gender. TEAM LEWIS collected data through an online survey fielded from February 18-20, 2025. The survey respondents were independently sourced from Veridata Insights.
