Fixable What leaders are getting wrong about return-to-office (from Rapid Response)
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Feb 20, 2025 
Bob Safian, former editor-in-chief of Fast Company, joins Frances for a deep dive into the contentious return-to-office debate. They unravel the emotional and strategic motivations behind in-office mandates and emphasize the importance of balancing leadership decisions with employee needs. The conversation reveals surprising insights on how AI is reshaping work dynamics, and discusses the merits of hybrid models over rigid policies. Plus, they explore how incorporating movement in meetings can boost information retention and overall productivity.
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RTO Driven by Nostalgia
- Return-to-office (RTO) mandates are primarily driven by the personal preferences of certain demographics, particularly older, high-income leaders.
- These preferences often override performance data, which generally contradicts the effectiveness of RTO.
RTO and Performance
- There's no study definitively proving RTO improves performance; evidence actually points to employee preference for flexibility.
- Productivity doesn't decrease with hybrid work, and employee value proposition decreases when switching from 3 days to 5 days in-office.
Office Presence and Culture
- The claim that full-time office presence strengthens company culture is a myth.
- Employees often use noise-canceling headphones or isolate themselves in offices, hindering collaboration.