How RTO Plans That Accommodate Working Parents Can Help Retain Staff

Renewed or stiffer return to office (RTO) rules are often met with protest from employees who cherish the flexibility of remote options. But new data indicates the greatest resistance comes from working parents who feel their domestic commitments have been ignored by employers ordering staff back to the workplace.

Previous studies showed strengthened RTO rules or full, five-day weekly mandates have led to a rising number of women dropping out of the labor market. Many departed female workers said they left to fulfill child-raising and other domestic commitments that became difficult with less job flexibility. A new survey by workplace mental well-being services provider Modern Health indicates increased pressure created by reduced remote work options is now being felt by parents of both genders. That’s especially true for people juggling a career, looking after kids, and caring for older family members as well.

Survey responses suggest spending more time in the office needn’t be that difficult, so long as workers’ personal commitments are taken into account. But 71 percent of the 1,000 full-time U.S. employees aged 30–65 who were questioned said RTO decisions are usually made without considering domestic demands on parents — particularly women.

There are solid business reasons why employers might want to keep those workers in mind when altering in-office rules in the future.

The Modern Health survey found most employees didn’t regard reinforced RTO conditions as a zero-sum change for the worse. About 85 percent of participants said tighter return to the office rules had strengthened workplace collaboration and culture, and 84 percent reported it had helped reduce loneliness and disconnection at work. 

However, 91 percent of participants stressed requirements to spend more time in the office are most productive when they remain mindful of employees work-life balance and flexibility — especially after they sought their employees’ input. But most surveyed workers said that hasn’t been happening often when RTO tightening has been carried out so far.

In addition to the over 70 percent of participants who said reinforced rules had been planned without considering the impact on working parents, 74 percent viewed that neglect as making it more difficult, particularly for mothers, to continue pursuing their careers. 

Go inside one interesting founder-led company each day to find out how its strategy works, and what risk factors it faces. Sign up for 1 Smart Business Story from Inc. on Beehiiv.