The Hustle Daily Show Are RTO mandates actually working?
6 snips
May 19, 2025 
Darian Woods, an economist and reporter from NPR's The Indicator podcast, dives into the hot topic of Return-to-Office (RTO) mandates. He discusses how major companies like Uber and JP Morgan Chase are navigating the balance between productivity and employee preferences. Woods highlights the psychological impact of remote work and how flexibility can lead to higher company growth rates. The conversation also touches on the evolving nature of work and the struggle between traditional office expectations and the desires of younger workers for adaptable arrangements.
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In-Office Work Boosts Productivity
- Productivity can increase by up to 10% with in-office work due to better mentorship and immediate collaboration.
- However, remote work offers valuable flexibility for caretaking roles and reduces office space costs.
Junior vs. Senior Productivity Dynamics
- Junior employees gain productivity from reduced friction and closer collaboration in offices.
- Senior employees may prefer remote work as they spend less time mentoring others, reducing company benefit.
Distance Challenges Employee Retention
- People have moved farther from offices, averaging 26 miles versus 15 miles before 2019, especially high earners.
- Companies risk losing top talent who can reject office return mandates and seek flexible roles elsewhere.