How AI could kill the return to office

"The timing couldn't be more ironic. A new wave of return-to-office (RTO) mandates arrive just as companies pour millions into AI initiatives designed to automate work, eliminate roles, and drive bottom-line efficiency. Leaders advocate for AI as the engine of the future, one that can streamline and modernize how work gets done. So, why are they forcing people back into offices designed for workflows that AI is actively making obsolete?"

"Recent research shows what many employees have known all along: RTO mandates don't improve productivity, innovation, or team connection. But they do weaken morale and accelerate attrition. If companies want better long-term performance, they might consider paying attention to the employee experience instead of treating it as a footnote to investor expectations. And they should also recognize that unpopular RTO policies reflect a deeper tension-one that AI is making increasingly clear."

Return-to-office mandates often produce superficial office presence rather than meaningful productivity gains; employees frequently join video calls from desks and use headphones while doing work that could be done remotely. Many workers incur commuting costs and endure poor onsite meals without improved outcomes. At the same time, companies are investing heavily in AI to automate tasks, eliminate roles, and boost efficiency, which undermines the relevance of legacy office workflows. Research finds RTO does not increase productivity, innovation, or team connection and instead harms morale and increases attrition. Improving long-term performance requires prioritizing employee experience and addressing tensions intensified by AI.

Read at Fast Company