A mere 3 percent of organisations continue to enforce strict Return-to-Office (RTO) policies, a sharp decline from 8 percent just a year ago, according to a recent survey by Flex Index.
The survey, which gathered responses from 2,670 firms, reveals a significant shift towards flexible working arrangements, with 79 percent of companies offering fully flexible work options in 2024, up from 75 percent in 2023.
The dwindling number of strict RTO mandates reflects a growing tension between employers and employees, as the demand for workplace flexibility increases. Notably, more than half of the businesses surveyed (56 percent) now operate under an “employee’s choice” model, empowering staff to determine their own work schedules. This is a considerable jump from the 38 percent reported in 2023.
In contrast, only 18 percent of firms have adopted a structured hybrid model, while 23 percent no longer provide a physical office space—a significant decrease from 37 percent the previous year.
The shift has caused controversy
This shift has not been without controversy, particularly among large tech companies like Dell and Google, which have faced backlash over their RTO policies. Despite earlier predictions of a widespread return to the office, hybrid work models remain the preferred choice for both employees and employers.
Sheila Flavell CBE, COO of FDM Group, commented on the trend, stating, “The failure of return-to-office mandates, with only 3 percent of firms now requiring full-time office attendance, underscores the growing importance of workplace flexibility. Our recent Gen Z whitepaper found that three-quarters of Gen Z and Millennials working in remote or hybrid settings would quit immediately if forced to return to the office full-time.”
Flavell also emphasised the need for balance, noting that Gen Z still values in-person office experiences to learn from senior colleagues and develop their skills. “In-person work enhances training, such as experiential learning, enabling businesses to create simulated environments that help staff develop essential digital skills and gain hands-on experience with the tools they’ll use daily,” she added.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.