51% would quit over return-to-office mandates: MyPerfectResume survey

GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO — New data reveals a strong resistance to mandatory return-to-office policies. 

A comprehensive survey of 1,044 U.S. workers conducted by MyPerfectResume on January 14, 2025 has uncovered that 51% of employees would resign immediately if faced with non-negotiable return-to-office mandates.

Widespread support for flexible work arrangements 

The survey results show overwhelming support for remote and hybrid work options among federal employees, with 77% of Americans favoring such flexibility. 

Only 23% believe that federal employees should be onsite full-time. Preferences for remote work dominate, with 45% of respondents favoring fully remote positions, 33% supporting a hybrid model, and just 22% opting for full-time office work.

When it comes to productivity, 39% of workers report being most productive in remote settings, outweighing the 25% who feel most productive in the office.

“While Trump’s orders are likely to embolden more companies to mandate RTO, the survey paints a clear picture: workers value flexibility and remote work options now more than ever,” said Jasmine Escalera, career expert at MyPerfectResume. 

Mental health and work-life balance

Sixty-eight percent of employees report that flexible work options positively affect their mental health. The ripple effects of return-to-office mandates are particularly evident in household dynamics, with 40% of workers reporting increased home responsibilities when their partners returned to office-based work.

The survey also reveals interesting insights into why employees believe companies are pushing for return-to-office policies. Half of the respondents view these mandates as a means of exerting control over employees, while 51% believe companies aim to boost productivity through office presence. Notably, only 5% of workers believe these policies are implemented to improve company culture.

“The traditional 9-to-5 office culture seems increasingly at odds with employee needs for work-life balance, mental health and productivity,” Escalera added.