I’m a Remote Worker. Here’s Why Forced RTO Policies Miss the Point.
Return to office is not an universal band-aid.
It’s 8am, and I’m settling at my home desk with my cup of tea. In five minutes, I’ll be fully focused on my work, scanning my inbox and prioritising my activities for the day.
No delayed trains, no forced small talk.
I hate small talk.
This is my reality as a fully remote worker, and that’s also a reality that millions of us have come to accept and thrive in.
I can’t help but reflect on how the corporate world seems determined to reverse the progress we’ve made in workplace flexibility. The most common argument I hear from RTO advocates is about collaboration and spontaneous innovation. For instance, smartphone maker Nothing has told staff they must come to the office five days a week, with the company’s CEO suggesting that employees who aren’t happy about it should find other jobs.
“Remote work is not compatible with a high ambition level plus high speed.” Sure.
The productivity myth
This myth of decreased productivity in remote work really amuses me. My typical day includes a mix of scheduled 1–2–1 remote meetings and defined deep work sessions that would be more challenging in an office environment. The time I save on commuting to sites to see clients goes directly into either additional work or hobbies.
So no, no “quick chat” that turns into a 30-minute debate that I cannot seem to be able to escape.
A 2023 study from the National Bureau of Economic Research revealed remote work saved employees an average of 72 minutes per day in commute time. While these savings varied significantly by location — ranging from 51 minutes in Serbia to 102 minutes in China — the vast majority of countries (23 out of 27) reported daily time savings exceeding one hour. But employees were not just pocketing these extra minutes for leisure; they were reinvesting them strategically: 40% back into their primary or secondary jobs, 34% on leisure, and 11% to caregiving responsibilities.
Company culture and inclusion
What about company culture, you would ask?
Yes, culture is crucial, but it’s not bound to a physical office. My organisation has built a strong culture without sharing a physical space.
And we are doing absolutely great.
There’s another critical aspect of remote work that often gets overlooked in the RTO debate: inclusivity. For many talented people, traditional office environments present a massive challenge that has nothing to do with their skills or dedication to their work.
People with chronic illnesses, autoimmune conditions, or neurodivergent traits often find office environments overwhelming or physically taxing.
But remote work has opened doors for these individuals to showcase their talents without the physical and emotional drain of navigating an office environment that wasn’t designed with their needs in mind. By mandating full-time office returns, companies are potentially excluding skilled professionals who may be unable to thrive in traditional office settings.
The beauty of remote work is that it allows people to create work environments that support their specific needs while delivering excellent results. Forcing everyone back to a one-size-fits-all office solution isn’t just short-sighted; it’s a step backward in workplace equity and inclusion.
When companies mandate office returns, they’re often applying a band-aid to unrelated issues. Instead of forcing everyone back to a one-size-fits-all office solution, organisations should focus on:
Strengthening digital infrastructure and collaboration tools
Creating meaningful opportunities for both virtual and in-person connection
Measuring outcomes rather than presence
Building trust through results, not surveillance and micromanagement
The future of work isn’t about where we work — it’s about how we work.
What’s your experience with remote work or RTO policies?
I would love to work remotely, but it's hard to come by...
My last job was insanely stressful and the daily commute just as well. I was so burnt-out that I quit and have been (travelling) in the UK to figure out my next move. I'm so grateful that I'm in the position to do that.
I know that I can not go back to 10 - 12 hour days (including commute) with no life, no energy - not even at the weekends - just exhaustion and this constant feeling of "what's the point of this?"... I don't understand how employers can expect people to dedicate their entire lives and time to (getting to and from) work... I am a loyal, efficient, quality employee, but there has to be balance and for that you essentially need time, which is why remote work opportunities are so important.