Business leaders are predicting that return-to-work policies will lose relevance as employees increasingly demand flexible work arrangements. A recent survey of business leaders reveals that hybrid careers and remote work will dominate the future of work, with companies willing to sacrifice top talent if they don’t adapt.
Several CEOs shared their thoughts on the decline of mandatory return-to-office policies in 2025. Doug Dennerline, CEO of Betterworks, believes that rigid mandates are causing talented people to leave jobs they enjoy and forcing managers to make difficult decisions to accommodate flexible work needs.
Andrea Lagan, COO at Betterworks, emphasizes that flexibility will become a priority for employees in the coming year, with companies expected to provide personalized development opportunities and support employee well-being. Felix Kim, CEO of Redrob, agrees that in-office work is obsolete and predicts that remote work will emerge as the winner.
Other leaders predict that AI will play a significant role in shaping return-to-work policies in 2025. Tom Keuten, Senior Vice President at Rightpoint, expects hybrid work to evolve with AI, redefining digital and in-person engagements. Jesse Murray, Senior Vice President of Employee Experience at Rightpoint, emphasizes the need for companies to personalize AI tools to enhance employee experiences.
Deborah Hanus, CEO of Sparrow, warns that a push for return-to-work policies can have unintended consequences, including productivity decline and leave requests. She advises business leaders to value their employees’ needs and adapt to the changing work landscape.
As the labor market becomes increasingly competitive, it’s clear that companies must prioritize employee satisfaction and flexibility in order to stay ahead of the curve. With hybrid careers and remote work on the rise, it’s likely that return-to-work policies will lose relevance by 2025.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2024/12/06/leaders-predict-the-death-of-return-to-work-policies-in-2025