A new report reveals a significant shift in the workplace landscape: **flexibility is no longer a guaranteed perk but a negotiated benefit**. As more employees accept office-return mandates, the dynamics of remote work are changing rapidly.

![Flexibility shifts to a 'negotiated' perk at work](https://cdn-res.keymedia.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=1000,h=600,f=auto/https://cdn-res.keymedia.com/cms/images/us/035/0365_639038640927497934.png)

According to a poll from MyPerfectResume, there's **less resistance from employees** regarding return-to-office (RTO) orders, and workers have the same or less bargaining power to demand flexibility. Key findings include:
- Only 7% of employees would quit immediately if given a non-negotiable RTO mandate, a dramatic drop from 51% a year ago.
- Just 33% would start looking for another remote job rather than comply, down from 40% last year.
- 74% of employees report having the same or less bargaining power to demand flexibility.

This marks a major reversal from previous years, when employers faced strong backlash from employees over office-return orders. MyPerfectResume has dubbed this trend **"The Great Compliance,"** signaling the end of the age of worker leverage.

### Growing RTO Acceptance

Major companies have introduced office-return mandates to varying degrees, often citing company culture as a reason. This year, 48% of employees recognize **productivity concerns** as a strong driver for these policies. Employees believe companies will reap benefits from RTO, including:
- Higher productivity (38%)
- Better collaboration (22%)
- Easier management (19%)
- Stronger culture (13%)
- Better customer service (7%)

Economic factors are also playing a crucial role. With growing anxieties about job security, employees are less likely to walk away despite RTO mandates. As the report states, **"Economic anxiety is reshaping employee behaviour. What was once a deal-breaker is now a calculation rooted in job security, not preference."**

Nearly half of employees expect employers to be stricter about on-site attendance (46%) and anticipate at least half of US employers to have entirely eliminated remote work by the end of the year (44%).

Report reveals growing compliance with office-return mandates in the workforce

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