The battle over return-to-office (RTO) policies has been a hot topic for years, and the debate is far from settled as 2025 unfolds. From corporate titans to government offices, contrasting approaches have fueled a larger conversation about the future of work. Are we heading back to cubicles en masse, or will flexibility shape the workplaces of tomorrow?
Some giants—Amazon, AT&T, and Starbucks among them—have doubled down on in-office work, mandating full-time presence. The political sphere hasn’t been shy about wading into this arena either.
Heads of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, are championing an aggressive stance, pledging to enforce strict office attendance rules for federal employees with the support of President-elect Donald Trump.
Conversely, flexibility advocates like Spotify and Allstate remain committed to hybrid and remote options, pointing to data that highlight employee autonomy as a driver of satisfaction and productivity.
So, what does the future hold? To get a clearer picture, Fortune consulted top HR leaders from PwC, Canva, Magnit, and EY. Here’s what they see in the cards for 2025.
Hybrid: The Gold Standard for Now
Yolanda Seals-Coffield, chief people officer at PwC, underlines the timeless value of face-to-face collaboration. “It’s no secret that being together in person fosters greater connection, creativity, and development,” she says. However, while some companies push toward five-day office weeks, Seals-Coffield predicts that hybrid setups will remain dominant. Reports consistently show that hybrid workers enjoy higher satisfaction levels, balancing purposeful in-office engagement with the benefits of flexibility.
Empowering Employees Over Enforcing Rules
Canva’s Jennie Rogerson has a simpler formula: trust your employees. “We don’t have a mandatory company-wide amount of time to spend in an office,” Rogerson explains. Instead, team members choose environments that suit them—whether a physical office, their home, or a mix of both.
Now four years into this approach, Canva finds the model particularly appreciated by parents and caregivers who must balance work with personal commitments. For Rogerson, the trend points toward clarity:
“In 2025, more companies will make definitive decisions on their long-term strategy, enabling candidates to align their workplace preferences accordingly.”
Flexibility Meets Productivity Data
Magnit’s Rebecca Perrault, global VP of culture, diversity, and sustainability, envisions the narrative shifting toward empowerment in 2025. “The conversation will move from enforcing policies to empowering people,” she notes.
Perrault believes hybrid models will dominate as companies harness productivity metrics and employee feedback to craft tailored solutions.
“For organizations, the goal is no longer just ‘where we work,’ but ‘how we thrive together,’” she adds. Those embracing adaptability will emerge as leaders by designing workplaces that marry innovation with inclusion.
Moments That Matter
EY’s Ginnie Carlier reinforces the desire for flexibility among today’s workforce. She stresses that hybrid models create opportunities for what EY calls “moments that matter”—critical times for team connection. “Organizations focusing on bringing people together for these key moments will have the edge in recruiting and retaining talent,” Carlier explains.
Where Work Goes From Here
As we step into 2025, the once straightforward idea of a single workplace model has splintered into a spectrum of approaches. Whether enforcing office mandates or championing flexibility, companies must navigate evolving employee expectations. One thing is clear: adaptability and clarity will define success in the years ahead.
For employees, the choices made by these organizations matter. With policies taking sharper shapes, finding a workplace aligned with personal values and lifestyle has never been more accessible—or essential.