(NEW YORK) January 29, 2025 – As companies like Amazon and JP Morgan lead the charge in enforcing return-to-office (RTO) mandates, new survey results from TopResume, the world's largest resume-writing service, shed light on how American workers truly feel about the shift. According to a recent survey of 1,000 career-driven U.S. employees, remote workers are pushing back, with many unwilling to give up the flexibility they've grown accustomed to over the past several years since the global pandemic.

Key Findings from the Survey:

  • 60% of remote workers report that employers have demanded more in-office time in the last two years, with 38% being required to return to the office five days a week.

  • 1 in 6 employees say they would quit their job if forced to return to the office full-time, signaling potential talent loss for companies enforcing strict RTO policies.

  • Over one-third of millennials intend to defy return-to-office mandates, with 37% planning to ignore company policies and either continue working remotely or go to the office less frequently than required.

  • 96% of workers agree that carefully selected incentives, such as flexible schedules or pay raises, could be key to enticing them back to the office.

  • 2 in 5 employees believe returning to the office would significantly decrease their job satisfaction, citing concerns over work-life balance and mental health.

“As more companies push for employees to return to the office, workers are increasingly voicing concerns over the loss of flexibility and its detrimental impact on mental health and work-life balance as outweighing any productivity improvements," said Amanda Augustine, career expert for TopResume and certified professional career coach. "While offering enticing incentives may help, workers' growing need for flexibility and autonomy remains a significant challenge for businesses who refuse to bend.”

The full blog post with survey methodology, which can be read here, offers the following insights:

  • The “Juggle Struggle” for Work-Life Balance: Over half (54%) of those surveyed said returning to the office would negatively affect their work-life balance. With the flexibility to work remotely, employees have enjoyed better control over their time, eliminating long commutes and boosting productivity in many cases. Moreover, 30% expressed concerns that office distractions would worsen the already prevalent burnout and mental health struggles. With many American workers experiencing unprecedented job stress, the prospect of reverting to pre-pandemic office routines is triggering resistance.

  • The Generational Divide: The survey also revealed a clear generational divide. Generation X workers (born 1965-1980) were the most willing to comply with RTO policies, with 40% saying they would follow the rules to avoid consequences. Millennials (born 1981-1996), however, were the most resistant with one in three (37%) planning to ignore RTO policies, and one in three (35%) indicated they would seek new job opportunities if forced to return to the office.

  • The Productivity Trade-Off: While many workers resist the RTO shift, they also recognize that office work has its benefits. Almost half (46%) of workers admit they'd be more productive in an office setting. Despite the drawbacks, such as commuting costs, one in three (36%) of respondents said they would spend less money working from the office compared to working from home.

  • Incentives Will Lure Employees: For employers looking to win back their remote workforce, the survey suggests that incentives will be key. Sixty-five percent of workers indicated that a pay raise would be the most effective way to convince them to return to the office. Other popular incentives include flexible work hours (54%) and enhanced office amenities (37%). However, 10% of respondents said that no incentive would be enough to make them return to the office.

On an ongoing basis, the data science team at career.io, the parent company of TopResume and the only all-in-one platform that blends AI technology with human experience to provide guidance and success for professionals at every stage of their careers compiles nationwide data from career-driven professionals to better understand current behavioral trends in the job market. For more expert commentary from Amanda Augustine, visit TopResume's Career Advice blog to see their latest tips for coaching job seekers through their search.

About TopResume

TopResume, a career.io company, is the world's premier resume-writing service, analyzing millions of resumes and LinkedIn profiles each year. Job seekers work directly with professional writers and industry experts to redefine their personal brand and stand out from the crowd during the job search process. Follow TopResume on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and Instagram and visit TopResume to request a free confidential resume review.

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This survey was commissioned by TopResume and conducted via Pollfish from January 13 to January 14, 2025. A total of 1,000 full-time workers aged 18+ participated. The survey results were then analyzed to ensure unbiased representation across different generations.

Media Contact: Lisa Hagendorf | Centerpiece PR | Lisa@centerpiecepr.com

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