ResumeTemplates.com, the leading platform for free professional resume templates and examples, from a January 2025 survey examining corporate return-to-office (RTO) strategies. The survey of 849 U.S. managers reveals that 27% of companies will require employees to work in-office five days a week by the end of the year, with many citing corporate trends and recent government policies as driving factors.
According to the survey, 22% of companies have already returned to a fully in-office model, while an additional 5% plan to do so this year. Although hybrid work remains the most common structure, with 67% of companies offering some level of flexibility, only 6% of businesses expect to remain fully remote through the end of 2025. Among hybrid organizations, requiring employees to be in-office three days per week is the most common arrangement.
Corporate trends and government mandates have played a role in shaping workplace policies. More than half (54%) of companies say they have been at least somewhat influenced by major corporations implementing stricter RTO policies. Additionally, 35% of businesses report that President Trump’s executive order requiring federal employees to return to the office has factored into their own RTO decisions.
As organizations push for more in-person work, many are also increasing enforcement efforts. Among companies requiring a five-day office schedule, 47% plan to use termination or disciplinary actions against employees who do not comply. Badge tracking and attendance monitoring have been adopted by 34% of companies, while 32% factor attendance into performance evaluations. Additionally, 29% now consider in-office presence when determining promotions and salary increases.
Although some businesses are maintaining hybrid and remote work options, financial trade-offs may apply. Among companies that allow hybrid roles, 20% plan to pay hybrid workers less than their in-office counterparts. Similarly, 7% of businesses will reduce pay for fully remote employees. However, 76% of hybrid-friendly companies and 92% of remote-friendly organizations report that they will maintain equal pay for employees regardless of work location.
This survey, conducted in January 2025 via Pollfish, included 849 U.S. managers.
