Trust vs. Control: The Return-to-Office Myth—Busted!

Many companies still believe that forcing employees back into the office boosts productivity and financial performance. But research proves otherwise. Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and Stanford’s Nicholas Bloom show that strict RTO policies have no impact on financial performance—but they do harm employee satisfaction and retention.

So why do companies keep pushing for control? Often, it’s an illusion of productivity or a lack of trust in teams. But the smarter approach is clear: trust reduces complexity, saves costs, and fosters accountability. Instead of tracking office attendance, high-performing organizations focus on outcomes—not hours.