76% of American workers say they’d look for a new job if forced to work fully in person
A growing number of workers are ready to quit their jobs if their companies demand they return to duty, a new report has found.
Accordingly FlexJobs’ 2025 State of the Workforce Report76% of American workers say they would look for a new job if they were no longer allowed to work remotely, according to a survey of 3,000 professionals in the US
This is an increase of almost 20 percent compared to last year report57% of employees said they would “definitely” look for another job if they couldn’t continue working remotely.
And 85% of job seekers He said remote work is the number one factor motivating them to apply for a job, beyond salary, benefits and work-life balance.
It’s no surprise that remote work continues to be popular among American professionals, according to FlexJobs career expert Toni Frana: It offers benefits like “greater work-life balance, greater flexibility, and even cost savings,” she says.
Citing the survey, Frana points out that only 2% of surveyed employees prefer to work full-time in the office rather than fully remote or hybrid.
Frana says companies continue to push RTO mandates to “strengthen collaboration” and increase visibility among employees, but many employees aren’t having it: 27% of employees say they know someone who has quit or plans to quit due to return-to-the-office requirements.
Navigating an RTO transfer
If your company is pursuing a return-to-office plan, Frana recommends starting a constructive conversation with your manager about what RTO will mean for your role:
“What challenges are we trying to overcome by returning to the office? How will success be measured? Is there any flexibility that can still be offered?”
Another option might be to draft a proposal as to why you should be allowed to continue working remotely, says Frana.
“I think the most important thing you bring to a conversation like this is your results: the feedback you get from your customers or other colleagues and any goals you meet or exceed,” he says.
Your goal is to show your manager that “you’re productive, efficient, and an excellent employee” even though you’re not working in person, he says.
If remote work is a non-negotiable for you, it may be time to look for a new job that “better meets your needs,” says Frana.
For employees determined to stay away, he says it’s crucial to “be proactive in looking for the work environment and position they want in the future.”
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