Newly-launched research from Owl Labs, a leading hybrid technology company, reveals that while UK workers recognise some benefits when it comes to return to office (RTO) mandates - where employees are required to be in the office for a set number of days - they want the flexibility to choose when they work from the office. What’s more, while the majority of UK managers champion RTO mandates in some capacity, they don’t necessarily expect their teams to be in the office full-time. Flexible RTO mandates driven by task-based working are, therefore, key to maintaining an engaged and motivated team. 

So what does this mean?  Stealth management on the rise with 70% of managers having allowed team members to work from home despite an official return to office policy.  What’s more: 

• Majority (87%) of workers agree that an ‘unofficial’ and more flexible RTO policy boosts team morale 

• 70% of UK  managers admit that they have allowed team members to WFH in spite of an official RTO company policy

• Over half (55%) of UK workers believe that employee monitoring tools negatively impact productivity

RTO benefits hampered by employee monitoring software  

While the likes of Amazon, Apple and Boots have faced employee backlash over return to office mandates, just over 1 in 2 (51%) employees believe that working from the office for a set number of days boosts overall team productivity. However, hybrid workers remain sceptical with just 44% stating that RTO mandates make them more productive. This trepidation is likely linked to the number of days employees are mandated to be in the office and the type of work that employees have on their task list on any given day. 

Despite recognising the benefits of RTO mandates, the majority of UK workers draw the line at employee monitoring tools that track daily work outputs. As it stands, 55% of UK workers believe that employee monitoring tools negatively impact productivity. 

The rise of stealth management to maintain morale

Flexibility is key to the success of RTO mandates. So much so that the majority (87%) of UK workers agree that an ‘unofficial’ and more flexible RTO policy bolsters team morale. And managers are on board too. Although they are keen to see their team return to the office, managers don’t necessarily  expect to see employees in the office for the full week, or even full workday. 

As a result, more stringent RTO mandates are giving rise to stealth management whereby managers are discreetly taking a more flexible approach to company policies to retain top talent. As it stands, nearly three quarters (70%) of managers have allowed team members to work from home despite an official return to office policy.

What’s more, with a growing focus on task-based working - where employees are empowered to choose their work schedule based on their daily task list - some companies are proving to be more flexible when it comes to RTO mandates. As it stands, 1 in 3 (35%) workers reveal that their company has backtracked on a RTO mandate, with a further 15% stating this was due to employee demand.