1 in 5 U.S. workers defy office return: Resume Builder survey

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — A recent survey by Resume Builder reveals that one in five U.S. workers isn’t fully complying with their company’s return-to-office (RTO) policies.
As some businesses ramp up in-office requirements, employees are finding ways around these mandates, from leaving early to asking colleagues to sign them in.
This survey, conducted in September 2024 with 1,030 U.S.-based full-time employees, highlights the growing resistance to in-office mandates, especially among hybrid workers, who show the highest rates of non-compliance.
Hybrid workers most likely to ignore office policies
Among employees required to be in the office one to three days a week, only 61% fully comply with RTO policies. Some workers have resorted to creative methods to circumvent these rules, including having colleagues sign them in or leaving the office early.
Workers cited commute time (45%), lack of flexibility in work hours (34%), and commute costs (33%) as the top challenges with current RTO policies. To improve satisfaction, 67% of employees suggested a raise, while 51% favored flexible start and end times.
“Many employees resist returning to the office full-time due to the increased costs associated with commuting and the impact on their work-life balance,” Stacie Haller, chief career adviser at ResumeBuilder, told Fox Business.
“The added expenses of travel, meals, and services like pet sitting or extra child care are often viewed as a reduction in their take-home pay, making the return-to-office policy feel like a salary cut.”
Productivity and satisfaction at stake
The survey reveals that 68% of workers believe their productivity would improve if they could choose their own schedule. Currently, while 89% of employees feel productive on office days, those dissatisfied with RTO policies report lower productivity levels.
“For organizations, this presents a challenge in retaining top talent. Companies must carefully balance their desire for an in-office presence with the preferences of their workforce, or they risk losing valuable employees to more flexible competitors,” Haller warned.
Indeed, 20% of respondents said they would likely leave their jobs if their employer cracked down on RTO compliance, and an additional 33% were somewhat likely to do so.