A growing number of workers are prepared to quit their jobs if their company asks them to return to the office, a new report has found.
According to FlexJobs’ 2025 State of the Workforce Report, a survey of 3,000 U.S. professionals found that 76% of U.S. workers said they would look for a new job if they were no longer allowed to work remotely.
This is a nearly 20% increase from last year’s report, in which 57% of employees said they would “definitely” look for another job if they could no longer continue working remotely.
Additionally, 85% of job seekers said remote work was their biggest motivator for applying for a job, more so than salary, benefits, or work-life balance.
It’s no surprise that remote work remains popular among U.S. professionals, according to Toni Frana, a career expert at FlexJobs, which she says has benefits such as “better work-life balance, increased flexibility, and even lower costs.”
Frana cited this research, noting that only 2% of workers surveyed would prefer to work full-time in an office as opposed to fully remote or hybrid.
Frana said companies continue to push for mandatory RTOs to “enhance collaboration” and improve visibility among employees, but many are not able to do so. 27% of employees say they know someone who has quit or is about to quit due to return-to-office requirements.
Working with RTO push
If your company is moving forward with a return-to-office plan, Frana suggests starting a constructive conversation with your manager about what RTO means for your role.
“What challenges are we trying to address by returning to the office? How will success be measured? Is there still flexibility on offer?”
Another option might be to suggest a reason to allow employees to continue working remotely, Frana says.
“I think the main thing to bring to these conversations is your results: feedback from clients and other colleagues, goals you’ve met or exceeded,” she says.
The goal, she says, is to show your boss that even though you’re not working in-person, “you’re a productive, efficient, and good employee.”
If remote work is non-negotiable for you, it may be time to look for a new job that is “better suited to your needs,” says Frana.
While there are many companies offering fully remote work, there can be a lot of competition for roles, Frana said. She advises job seekers to polish their resumes, reach out to their networks, and research remote-friendly workplaces.
She says it’s important for workers who continue to work from home to “actively search for the work environment and position they want in the future.”
Do you want to earn more and make more money? Save 30% on bundles of top courses that will boost your earnings.
Plus, sign up for the CNBC Make It newsletter for tips and tricks to succeed at work, money, and life, and request to join our exclusive community on LinkedIn to connect with experts and colleagues.
