RTO Bias: How Flexibility Breeds Resentment
As companies enforce strict return-to-office mandates, exceptions made for top talent and senior leaders are sparking frustration among employees—raising concerns about fairness, morale, and long-term retention.
5 minutes
5th of February, 2025
Strict return-to-office (RTO) mandates are creating tension as high performers and senior executives often receive preferential treatment. Many companies overlook RTO violations from top talent to avoid losing them, fueling resentment among other employees. Favoritism—long present in corporate culture—is now more visible, leading to perceptions of inconsistency and unfairness. Experts warn this worsens morale and fosters a toxic work environment. Mike Small, President of North America at Akkodis, highlighted the issue, noting that leadership often gets more flexibility, sending mixed messages to staff. With job satisfaction dropping post-RTO, mismanagement and favoritism are deepening employee dissatisfaction and increasing attrition risks.
About Akkodis
Akkodis is a global digital engineering company and Smart Industry leader. We enable clients to advance in their digital transformation with Consulting, Solutions, Talent, and Academy services. Headquartered in Switzerland and part of the Adecco Group, Akkodis is a trusted tech partner to the world’s industries. We co-create and pioneer solutions that help to solve major challenges, from accelerating the clean energy transition and green mobility, to improving user and patient centricity. Empowered by a culture of inclusion and diversity, our 50,000 tech experts across 30 countries combine best-in-class technologies and cross industry knowledge to drive purposeful innovation for a more sustainable tomorrow. We are passionate about Engineering a Smarter Future Together. akkodis.com | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Twitter
About the Adecco Group
The Adecco Group is the world’s leading talent company. Our purpose is making the future work for everyone. Through our three global business units - Adecco, Akkodis and LHH - across 60 countries, we enable sustainable and lifelong employability for individuals, deliver digital and engineering solutions to power the Smart Industry transformation and empower organisations to optimise their workforces. The Adecco Group leads by example and is committed to an inclusive culture, fostering sustainable employability, and supporting resilient economies and communities. The Adecco Group AG is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland (ISIN: CH0012138605) and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ADEN). www.adeccogroup.com