Bosses admit they're using return-to-office mandates to trim down teams--without needing to announce layoffs

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

As RTO mandates ramp up, many U.S. companies are using in-person requirements to quietly reduce headcount without formal layoffs. Nearly 3 in 10 companies will require five days a week in the office by the end of 2025, despite almost half of workers saying they’d quit if remote work disappeared. Meanwhile, white-collar job growth has stalled, with sectors like healthcare and hospitality leading hiring gains instead.

Employees may think quitting in response to their company’s RTO mandate is a solid retaliatory reaction to their bosses, but it may actually be just what companies need.

Rather than trimming down headcounts by enforcing layoffs, business leaders from across the U.S. told the Federal Reserve Beige Book they’re hoping that upping their in-person requirements will do the job.

The Fed Beige Book report, published eight times a year, summarizes current economic conditions across the 12 Federal Reserve Districts. It is based on interviews with business leaders, economists, and other local contacts for a real-time look at the economy.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bosses-admit-using-return-office-153222696.html

[Johnny2X2X]

1. Been saying this from the get go

Four company makes a return to office push, prepare for layoffs.

I do a hybrid schedule and we’re in a hiring phase. But I can imagine a couple years from now us being over staffed and then making people come back to the office. About 20% of our staff is full WFH, 60 hybrid with 3 days a week at the office. And 20% are wt the office 5 days.

It’s an excellent way for corporations to trim staff without having to pay benefits and severance. People who went full WFH need to be prepared for this.

[exboyfil]

2. At what level of changing the terms of your employment qualify you for WARN payments and unemployment?

Mass layoffs trigger WARN (8 weeks salary) if there has been sufficient advanced notice. I received that last year during my job search. You can't double dip (get both WARN and unemployment or at least not in Iowa).

It comes down to if you are terminated for cause if you refuse to return to the office.

[tanyev]

3. Yep, hubby's going to have to deal with this in a few months.

After things reopened post-Covid he was actually looking forward to going back into the office and working in person with coworkers. But so few of his coworkers came back in that he kept working from home and the company canceled the lease on the building he was working out of. Now “going back to the office” will mean a much longer drive on much busier highways to a high-rise where they don’t currently have enough space if everyone does come back.

Fortunately, he’s close enough to retirement that he can just bail when that happens.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. People have to have another job to go to

before they quit over full-time office. What % will have that luxury?