Many companies around the globe are taking a firmer stance on remote work. For instance, Amazon in the United States has mandated that employees return to the office five days a week, while Wipro, a major IT company in India, has scaled back its work-from-home (WFH) policies. This comes despite evidence suggesting that remote work boosts productivity, saves employees time and money, and lowers carbon emissions. So, what’s behind this shift?
For many, remote work has been a game-changer. Those caring for young children or elderly parents have particularly benefited, finding working from home (WFH) far more appealing than daily commutes to the office.
However, could 2025 mark the end of widespread remote work? It seems possible, as several major companies across the globe are tightening their stance on the practice.
Companies Cracking Down on Remote Work.
Companies like Wipro, Amazon, and AT&T have been scaling back on remote work policies.
Amazon has mandated that employees return to the office five days a week. In India, Wipro earlier this year reduced its remote work options, requiring employees in Bengaluru to work in the office at least three days a week, with consequences for non-compliance. According to reports from Mint in September, employees who did not meet this requirement were penalized by losing a day’s leave. Additionally, human resources were instructed not to approve any more WFH requests.
Similarly Mindtree announced in September that employees would face leave deductions 1.5 days per month if they violated the new office attendance rules.
The U.S. government, a major employer, is also moving to limit remote work, despite evidence suggesting that remote work actually boosts employee productivity. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this has been observed across numerous private sectors.
Additionally, companies have seen reduced non-labor costs, such as office space expenses, with more businesses adopting remote work.
Beyond financial savings, remote work has also helped employees save time and money by eliminating daily commutes. The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has reported that WFH has not only increased productivity and morale but also helped companies retain existing employees and attract new talent.
The Washington Post stated that shifting to a fully remote setup could cut the average worker’s carbon emissions in half. Even working remotely just two to four days per week can reduce emissions by nearly a third.
According to USA Today, remote work offers employees numerous benefits, such as improved work-life balance, lower stress levels, reduced risk of burnout, better sleep, decreased anxiety and depression, more physical activity, and overall better health.
So, Why Are Companies So Determined To End Remote Work Despite These Clear Advantages?
Fortune suggests that some companies have invested millions in high-end office spaces and are eager to maximize their use. Others, however, believe the push for returning to the office is a tactic to force layoffs, essentially encouraging employees to quit.
According to Computerworld, more and more business leaders are indicating that a permanent return to office work is on the horizon.
According to a 2024 CEO Outlook report by KPMG, which surveyed over 1,300 CEOs worldwide, including 400 in the U.S., 79% of them now support in-person work. This marks a significant increase from just 34% earlier in the year.To encourage employees to return to the office, many CEOs are offering incentives. About 86% of them stated they would reward in-office workers with opportunities for high-profile projects, raises, and promotions.
Despite this, employees continue to strongly favor working from home. A June report from *Forbes* found that 71% of remote workers in the U.S. believe it helps maintain a healthy work-life balance. Additionally, *Upwork* predicts that in 2025, around 32.6 million Americans around 22% of the workforce would work remotely.
According to Fast Company, a FlexJobs survey revealed that 95% of workers prefer either hybrid or fully remote jobs. A Gallup survey further supports this, showing that 60% of employees favor hybrid work, while one-third prefer working entirely remotely. Less than 10% are interested in working exclusively from the office.
Moreover, 40% of employees said they would seek new job opportunities if they were no longer allowed to work remotely or in a hybrid capacity.
Remote work is also gaining traction in India. A Forbes report, citing a CXOToday survey, projected that by 2025, between 60 and 90 million Indians approximately 15% of the workforce—will be working remotely, up from the current 12%.
Employees are becoming increasingly assertive about their preferences. A study from Harvard Business School and the University of Pennsylvania, quoted by Fortune, found that workers are likely to leave their jobs if they are denied the option to work from home. Raj Choudhury, an associate professor at Harvard Business School, commented, “My prediction is that eventually, every company and leader will have to accept remote work.”
