They’re building somewhere else.
You think forcing people back is preserving culture (Sorry I'm not sorry RTO mandate companies).
But what you’re actually doing is repelling the very people who drive your business forward.
Top performers don’t need to be babysat.
They don’t need badge scans, 9-to-5 rules, or fluorescent lighting to be productive.
They need clarity, autonomy, and room to win.
The second you mandate RTO “for collaboration"
They hear:
- We don’t trust you
- We can’t lead without watching
- We care more about appearances than performance
You’re not retaining culture.
You’re just reasserting control.
(Exceptions being companies in the Hardware, Medical fields Etc)
And in the process, you’re bleeding talent to the companies that actually trust their people to deliver wherever they are.
The future isn’t remote vs in-office.
It’s flexibility vs fragility.
Choose wisely.