The decision by RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) to require employees in the office four days a week is part of a broader trend: large enterprises are looking to reconnect people, rebuild culture, and spark the kind of collaboration that’s harder to replicate remotely.
It’s a well-intentioned move—and a clear signal that the pendulum is swinging back toward in-person time. But for hybrid work to succeed in the long term, it can’t rely on blanket policies alone. It needs a more precise, people-centered design.
Hybrid Is Here to Stay
While some companies are leaning back into the office, the overall trend is clear: hybrid work is now the global default. According to JLL, 87% of organizations have adopted hybrid work programs, and nearly 60% are redesigning office spaces to support more collaborative, flexible environments.
Meanwhile, employee preferences remain consistent: a 2025 survey found that 83% of employees prefer a hybrid working model, and 94% want more control over their schedules. These numbers point to an opportunity—not a tension—between flexibility and connection.
Presence Doesn’t Equal Performance
Mandates may get people back through the door, but they don’t guarantee the outcomes leaders are aiming for—like culture, creativity, or trust. RBC’s emphasis on in-person time is rooted in a belief that relationships are better built face-to-face. That’s true—but only if those moments feel meaningful.
At Kadence, we see this shift as a chance to move from presence for presence’s sake to aligning teams in the office when it truly matters—whether for collaboration, onboarding, or rituals that build culture.
The data backs this up. According to Future Forum, knowledge workers without access to flexible working hours report:
- 2.2x higher levels of work-related stress and anxiety
- 1.7x worse work-life balance
- 1.4x higher burnout
When people have the ability to shape their schedules, they’re more likely to show up engaged, rested, and ready to contribute. When office time is tied to meaningful collaboration, not just policy, it becomes something people choose—not something they endure.
The takeaway? Being physically present isn’t the same as being engaged. What employees really want is not just flexibility—but clarity and purpose.
The Real Value of Office Time
The office is still essential—but its role is evolving. It’s no longer the default location for all work. Instead, it’s becoming a destination for specific kinds of work:
- Team-building
- Brainstorming
- Onboarding
- Strategic alignment
The RBC announcement is a helpful reminder: the office still plays a vital role in how modern teams connect and collaborate. But the real value doesn’t come from how often people show up—it comes from whether those moments together are designed with purpose.
At Kadence, we help companies make those moments count. With tools that help teams coordinate their schedules, choose the best days to meet, and make smarter use of their space, we enable a rhythm of work that supports both flexibility and connection.
It’s not about more days in the office. It’s about making the most of the days that matter. When teams come together with intention, the office becomes more than a place to work—it becomes a place to build momentum.
Trust Is the New Productivity
RBC’s return-to-office plan reflects a real desire shared by many companies: to rebuild a stronger, more connected culture. The opportunity now is to move beyond mandates toward smarter design—ones that balance business goals with individual needs, and structure with trust.
The future of work isn’t less connection. It’s more meaningful connection—enabled by better coordination, thoughtful strategies, and the flexibility people need to thrive.
What we’re seeing across our customer base is that when teams are trusted to decide when to come together—and given the tools to do it well—they don’t resist the office. They embrace it.
It’s not about mandating more time in the building. It’s about designing time that matters.
Book a demo with our hybrid experts to see how Kadence helps companies like yours build a smarter rhythm of work around the moments that matter most.
