A new study from TopResume shows that return-to-office (RTO) is actually creating hidden costs such as loss of talent, productivity, and a workplace where showing up matters than performing.
It's been one year since workers have been mandated to return to work and managers are dealing with threats of quitting or resining (19.5%). Also, more than a quarter of managers (25.7%) estimate that between three and five hours of productivity are lost each week to in-office distractions. Two-five (40%) of managers believe office visibility influences career advancement more than performance. In fact, this leads to an increase of "task-masking" or the performance of business over genuine productivity in the workplace. The data found that nearly half of managers (47%) say that they have occasionally observed employees appearing busy rather than actually doing work, and another 23.8% witness it frequently.
More than one-third (37.3%) say RTO has made hiring harder, including 9.2% who say that it is much harder.
According to Amanda Augustine, resident career expert for TopResume and a Certified
Professional Career Coach (CPCC), "Return-to-office policies are no longer just about where work happens; they're shaping whether people stay. The commute, the cost, and the time away from family are real trade-offs for employees, and mandates alone won't overcome that.
If organizations want employees onsite, they need to make the experience worth it. That means investing in meaningful mentorship, in-person learning and development, active employee resource groups, and creating visible pathways for growth. It can also mean offering practical support, like commuting stipends or flexible start and end times to ease the transition.
Without that added value, companies may secure attendance, but lose engagement … and potentially their top talent."
Managers highlighted the real reasons employees are continuing to push back on RTO mandates. Nearly half (49.3%) say their teams simply prefer the flexibility of remote work, while rising commuting costs (36.3%), perceived productivity disadvantages (34.33%), long commute times (34.17%), and caregiving responsibilities (33.3%) also remain significant obstacles for employees.
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