42% remote workers face office return mandates: Indeed
TEXAS, UNITED STATES — As 2025 unfolds, more companies and federal agencies are summoning employees back to the office.
A recent online survey conducted by Indeed from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3, 2025 among 1,314 U.S. adults highlights this trend, revealing that 42% of remote and hybrid workers have now been instructed to return to their workplace full-time.
Some companies that started to implement return-to-office (RTO) include Dell Technologies, ad giant WPP, banking giant JPMorgan Chase, and telecom giant AT&T.
Positive reception despite challenges
Despite the significant change, the transition has been met with a surprisingly positive reception. Over half of those surveyed (53%) view the return to office favorably, suggesting a readiness to reengage with the conventional work environment.
However, remote and hybrid workers identify several key obstacles associated with returning to the office:
- Commute time (47%)
- Additional costs not offset by salary (28%)
- The need to update or purchase professional attire (28%)
Remote work still in high demand
The appeal of remote positions remains strong, especially among specific demographics. According to the survey, 42% of participants applied for jobs advertised as fully remote. This preference is even more pronounced among women aged 35 to 44, with 57% targeting remote roles.
Furthermore, nearly half of the respondents (48%) who sought remote employment have children at home, underlining the need for flexible work arrangements that can accommodate family responsibilities.
More workers would quit over RTO mandates
Recent data reveals a strong resistance to mandatory return-to-office policies.
MyPerfectResume has uncovered that 51% of employees would resign immediately if faced with non-negotiable return-to-office mandates. The survey results show overwhelming support for remote and hybrid work options among federal employees, with 77% of Americans favoring such flexibility.
Similarly, according to a new Pew Research Center survey, 46% of employees would likely seek new employment if their remote work privileges were revoked.
