Donald Trump and allies like Elon Musk claim federal employees “aren’t working” because of remote work. Resulting in mass forced quits of RTO Mandates (Return to office).
But for many of us, the “tea leaves” tell a different story…one that looks suspiciously like a pretext for mass layoffs.
We’ve seen this play out before in the private sector, and the pattern is all too familiar.
The real issue isn’t productivity…it’s control.
Employees know it. Leaders may talk about collaboration and culture, but the subtext is clear: this is about reasserting authority, not improving outcomes.
The tired refrain of “nobody wants to work anymore” isn’t new…it dates back to the 1800s. But what’s changed is that today’s workers (federal employees included) have the leverage to demand autonomy, and they’re using it.
This isn’t about TRO mandates and employees being coddled or wanting to stay home for convenience. There’s solid evidence…not anecdotes…that ties job satisfaction and productivity to greater autonomy. Research shows that the ability to work remotely, combined with flexible scheduling, has a profound impact on both well-being and output. You don’t have to dig very far for proof…this concise source lays it out.
The quiet part out loud: Remote work enables government employees (and others) to escape the inefficiencies of office presenteeism and actually get things done.
This isn’t about pj’s and Netflix; it’s about recognizing that flexible work isn’t the *future…*it’s the present.
Another quiet part out loud: For every CEO stubbornly clinging to 2019 RTO mandates, there’s another ready to scoop up disillusioned talent.
I hear from employees stuck in 5-day RTO mandates all the time, and their frustrations are telling. Here’s an anonymous message I received recently:
“Forced 5-day RTO has nothing to do with culture or collaboration. This is just the ‘firm’ copying Amazon and others. I don’t get it, especially when the company is doing so well financially. I’m actively starting to look for another job…”
Prediction for 2025: Highly skilled workers will continue migrating to smaller, more flexible organizations…or exploring fractional work arrangements. While the headlines scream, “Get back to work!” the real trend is, “I’m taking my work elsewhere.”
It’ll be fascinating to reflect on this at the end of 2025. Despite the noise and negativity dominating the conversation, there’s an undercurrent of quiet optimism.
As Martha Beck puts it:
“If we solve the problems the world is in right now, it will be because groups of creative people gathered and supported each other in creating solutions.”
And maybe, just maybe, those solutions will emerge from the freedom and flexibility that remote work provides.
Until next time,
Dave
Dave is Kadence’s Future of Work Strategist. He foresees what’s unfolding in the world of work and advises our customers on how to prepare and adapt to the latest trends easily.
