As employees adapt to post-pandemic work environments, the debate over return-to-office (RTO) mandates continues to stir workplace tensions. Recently, President Trump added to the conversation by signing an executive order requiring all federal employees to return to onsite work, further intensifying discussions about the future of work arrangements.

LiveCareer, a career services platform specializing in resumes and cover letters, released its latest report, RTO Realities and Predictions, based on a January 2025 survey of over 1,000 U.S. workers. Although most workers vastly prefer remote work over on-site work, 91% report knowing someone who has been required to return to the office since 2023, with 86% observing negative repercussions for those who resisted. Despite these challenges, workers continue to value the benefits of remote work, prioritizing time/cost savings and improved work-life balance.

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Key Findings

• 60% of people predict more companies will mandate full-time in-office work in 2025 compared to 2024.
• 91% know someone who has been asked to return to onsite work since 2023.
• 86% reported consequences for resisting RTO mandates: 63% were fired and 23% faced formal reprimands.
• Two-thirds of workers would not trade remote work for a 15% pay raise.
• Mentions of “remote work” on resumes have nearly tripled in the LiveCareer database, rising from 4% in 2018 to 11% in 2025.

RTO Rising: Workers Predict More Full-time Office Mandates

Looking ahead, employees anticipate a continued push for onsite work:

• 60% believe more companies will require full-time in-office work.
• 31% anticipate fewer mandates.
• 9% expect no significant changes.

RTO Transitions Are In Full Swing

When asked whether they knew anyone who has been asked to return to the office since 2023, 91% of respondents said yes, with 73% knowing one person and 18% knowing multiple people. Only 9% of those surveyed say they don’t know anyone who has been asked to return to onsite work.

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The Risks of Refusing RTO

For respondents who know someone who refused to comply with RTO policies, 86% say there were repercussions:

• 63% say those who refused to RTO were fired.
• 23% faced reprimand.
• Only 9% report cases where refusal resulted in no consequences, showing that leniency remains rare.

Why Workers Value Remote Work

The survey highlights several key reasons why employees remain steadfast in their preference for remote and hybrid work:

• 49% value the time savings from no commute.
• 42% appreciate the cost savings on commuting and meals.
• 40% cite flexibility and improved productivity.
• 32% benefit from better work-life balance.
• 20% enjoy avoiding “office-ready” preparation, like attire and grooming.

Additionally, trends in resume data reflect growing interest in remote opportunities. In LiveCareer’s database, mentions of “remote work” on resumes rose from 4% in 2018 to 11% in 2025, nearly tripling over the past seven years.

Can Pay Raises Bring Workers Back?

Despite the appeal of remote work, some workers indicated conditions under which they might willingly return to the office:

• 37% would return for a pay raise of at least 15%.
• 35% would trade remote work for a four-day workweek.
• 10% would trade it for unlimited PTO.

The data underscores how deeply employees value remote work—the majority would not be swayed by financial incentives.

“The data reveals a workplace at a crossroads,” said Jasmine Escalera, career expert for LiveCareer. “While many workers predict a rise in return-to-office mandates, their unwavering preference for remote work underscores a fundamental shift in workplace values. Employers who prioritize flexibility and understand these preferences will be better positioned to attract and retain top talent in this evolving landscape.”

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Source – PR Newswire

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