Companies want employees to be in the office more often: 'People need contact'

Recent trends show that companies like Booking.com, Skydance, and ABN AMRO are encouraging employees to return to the office more frequently. This shift indicates a decline in the flexibility employees had regarding their work locations. Psychologist Tosca Gort notes that productivity issues have led companies to reconsider remote work policies. While working from home eliminates commute times and distractions, it also presents challenges such as inadequate workspaces and lack of social interaction. Fred Zijlstra emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration, suggesting that being present in the office enhances learning and problem-solving opportunities. However, he also acknowledges that remote work remains valuable, particularly for managing traffic and work-life balance. A complete return to office work is unlikely, but more organizations may require employees to spend the majority of their workdays in the office.