Return to Office Mandates Trigger Employee Attrition and Recruitment Woes

Return to Work

Return to Office Mandates Trigger Employee Attrition and Recruitment Woes

The aftermath of compulsory office returns is proving to be a turbulent storm for many businesses, with higher employee attrition rates and recruitment struggles taking center stage. This grim reality is highlighted in three insightful reports: the Greenhouse Candidate Experience Report, the Federal Reserveโ€™s Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking (SHED), and Unispaceโ€™s โ€œReturning for Goodโ€ report.

Unispace reveals that an alarming 42 per cent of firms enforcing office returns have seen a higher employee turnover than anticipated. Additionally, 29 per cent of these companies are grappling with recruitment issues. The severity of the situation was underestimated by many, with the fallout proving more damaging than expected.

The Greenhouse report further underscores this issue, revealing that a whopping 76 per cent of employees are prepared to leave their jobs if flexible work options are taken away. Furthermore, employees from historically underrepresented groups are 22 per cent more likely to seek alternatives if forced into rigid work schedules.

The SHED survey quantifies the discontentment among employees forced to switch from flexible to traditional work models as akin to a two-to-three per cent pay cut. In the high-stakes game of talent acquisition and retention, it’s clear that flexible work policies are the queen piece โ€“ formidable, decisive, and game-changing.

The Greenhouse report further emphasizes this point by revealing that 42 per cent of job candidates would reject roles without flexibility. The SHED survey supports this finding, affirming that employees value the ability to work from home a few days a week, comparing it to enjoying a day at the beach while remaining digitally connected.

So, what’s tempting employees away? The Greenhouse report suggests that flexible work policies are a major drawcard. These policies outshine other factors such as pay, job security, and promotion opportunities when it comes to employee preferences.

Unispace adds another dimension to the discussion: choice. Their report indicates that employees generally have positive feelings towards the office – 31 per cent feel happy, 30 per cent feel motivated, and 27 per cent feel excited. However, these feelings diminish for those forced to return to the office (27 per cent, 26 per cent, and 22 per cent respectively). This suggests that employees are more receptive to returning to the office when it’s a choice rather than a mandate.

Cognitive biases play a significant role in shaping our perceptions and decisions. For instance, the status quo bias, which inclines us towards maintaining current states or resisting change, can explain why employees are reluctant to give up flexible work arrangements. A tech startup that decided to revert to pre-pandemic in-person work arrangements after successfully operating in a hybrid model during the pandemic experienced this firsthand with an unexpected surge in turnover.

The resounding message from the Greenhouse, SHED, and Unispace reports is clear: businesses must adapt to flexible work policies or risk being sidelined. As we forge ahead into the future of work, flexibility isn’t just a fleeting trend; it’s a necessity and the new norm.

While considering this new norm, businesses should also pay attention to creating comfortable work environments for those who choose to return to the office. For instance, providing ergonomic furniture like an electric height adjustable standing desk or the best sit stand desk can contribute to employee satisfaction and productivity. The health benefits of an electric stand up desk are numerous, including improved posture and reduced back pain.

In conclusion, as we navigate this evolving landscape of work, it’s crucial for businesses to adapt and prioritize employee preferences or risk facing higher attrition rates and recruitment struggles.

author avatar
Guy Director
Higher Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. Ergomotion Director since 2005.

Google Reviews

Ergomotion

Google Reviews

Fran Prem 29/05/25

Google
So happy with my new sit/stand desk. The price was very competitive and the quality is excellent. It's very unusual these days to have the level of human to human customer service Guy offered, from the time of ordering all the way to installation. Guy delivered my desk on time, put it together, set up my computer and tidied away the cables. Such a nice person, and a wonderful experience. Would highly recommend.

Pree P 28/03/25

Google
My brother in lawโ€™s glowing recommendation of the ergomotion sit- stand desk that he has been using for a few years now, and specially the service that Guy delivers, piqued my interest. And now I am convert!

From the moment I first interacted with Guy to the day my standing desk arrived, Iโ€™ve been nothing short of impressed. The booking process was incredibly smooth and hassle-free - Guy made everything so simple and straightforward. His customer service was top-notch, with clear communication and genuine helpfulness made the overall process even more amazing. I appreciate how patiently he answered my questions and explained the care instructions for the wooden top.

For the product itself! The standing desk is a game-changer - the attention to detail, premium material used, beautiful design, smooth adjustment all transformed my home office. The craftsmanship is top-notch. What really sets this experience apart is how much I genuinely enjoy using the desk every single day. Would highly recommend!! Thank you ๐Ÿ™

Wesley Dao 12/02/25

Google
Bought a standing desk after looking around at options. Solid wood and Linak frame so all around good quality. Assembly was simple with an electric screwdriver. Guy was very helpful and responsive.

Amanda O 28/01/25

Google
Bought a standing desk and I love it. Quality product at a great price. Amazing service from Guy, who helped explain the desk and accessories for efficient workspace setup. I highly recommend.

Rick Bruce 02/11/24

Google
After doing some due diligence and research into actuators I settled on this unit from ergomotion this unit is so solid and the operation is quite and flawless. The purchasing process and the shipping was absolutely fantastic!! I couldnโ€™t be happier with the product and the entire process, I would highly recommend this companyโ€ฆ. Rick Bruce

Shelley Jensen 07/09/24

Google
Guy (the owner) delivered the desk and set it up quickly. He then gave me a lesson on how to use it and how to get the most out of it. Arrived on time and was absolutely lovely to deal with throughout the whole process. Highly recommend.

clifford sneider 06/09/24

Google
Guy was fantastic and the desk is amazing

Jo Manning 08/08/24

Google
I bought an adjustable desk from Guy a couple of years ago, got great service and good price. Recently we had a tiny issue which could not be fixed over the phone. Guy was more than happy to come out and look at it 2 days later. All fixed! I really appreciated his patience with me and accommodating us so quickly. Great old fashioned service and piece of mind. I love it. I know where to get my second desk when needed. Thank you Guy. Jo Manning

Deborah Hunt 25/07/24

Google
ergomotion were fantastic to deal with. excellent customer service and a great product.

Andrew Pieterse 14/06/24

Google
Great service and really quick shipping. It is great to know that you are getting quality parts from a Scandinavian manufacturer with your standing desk purchase rather than the cheap knock off stuff you get from other major brands. Reasonably priced for the quality too!
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