A January 2025 survey conducted by ResumeTemplates.com reveals significant insights into evolving corporate Return-to-Office (RTO) strategies. The survey, which polled 849 U.S. managers, found that 27% of companies will require employees to work in-office five days a week by the end of 2025. Corporate trends and recent government policies are cited as key drivers of this shift.
While hybrid work remains the dominant workplace structure, the survey highlights the increasing push for in-person work and its implications for workplace policies, employee pay, and performance evaluation.
Key Findings on Return-to-Office Trends
1. Current and Future RTO Plans
- 22% of companies have already returned to a fully in-office model.
- An additional 5% plan to adopt a full in-office schedule by the end of 2025.
- Hybrid work remains the most common structure—67% of companies offer some level of flexibility.
- Only 6% of businesses expect to remain fully remote by the end of 2025.
- Among hybrid organizations, the most common requirement is three days per week in-office.
2. Influence of Corporate Trends and Government Policies
- 54% of companies are at least somewhat influenced by major corporations implementing stricter RTO policies.
- 35% of businesses report that President Trump’s executive order requiring federal employees to return to the office impacted their RTO decisions.
3. Increased Enforcement of In-Person Work
- Among companies with a five-day office schedule:
- 47% plan to use termination or disciplinary action for non-compliance.
- 34% have adopted badge tracking and attendance monitoring.
- 32% factor attendance into performance evaluations.
- 29% consider in-office presence when determining promotions and salary increases.
4. Compensation Adjustments for Hybrid and Remote Work
- 20% of companies with hybrid roles plan to pay hybrid employees less than their in-office counterparts.
- 7% of businesses will reduce pay for fully remote employees.
- Despite this, the majority of companies will maintain equal pay:
- 76% of hybrid-friendly companies and 92% of remote-friendly organizations report they will offer equal pay regardless of work location.
The ResumeTemplates.com survey highlights a clear trend toward stricter Return-to-Office policies, driven by corporate influence and government mandates. While hybrid work remains prevalent, companies are increasing enforcement efforts for in-person work. As organizations balance flexibility with in-office requirements, employees may face new challenges related to performance evaluations, promotions, and compensation. These findings emphasize the evolving nature of workplace strategies and the need for companies to adapt while ensuring employee satisfaction and fairness.
