02/19/2025

To Create a Balanced RTO Solution, You Need Mutual Trust

Leaders wanting to drive employees back into offices face many hurdles

The return-to-office (RTO) pendulum continues to swing toward the wants of CEOs, and we expect this trend to continue. A 2024 survey of CEOs by KPMG found that 79 percent believe employees will be back in the office five days a week within three years—a dramatic increase from 2023’s survey. For many leaders, the workplace remains a vital tool for reinforcing company values and driving strategic alignment across teams.

Yet, while employers prioritize a return to the collaboration, culture, and innovation that the office fosters, employees say they enjoy the autonomy and flexibility they’ve gained working remotely. If leaders do not act consistently and communicate a RTO strategy effectively, they will further erode employee trust.

As a designer and workplace strategist, I’ve been reflecting on how to design offices that encourage in-office collaboration, and engaging in deep conversations with clients about how they are implementing RTO policies.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Fast Company.