CEOs demand RTO, but only 7% go to the office 5 days a week

“Yet only 7% of CEOs go into the office five days a week…”

Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, “Bosses are making their staff return to the office or quit—but they’re notably absent themselves”, August 12, 2025

…and yet they are making their employees come back onsite 5 days a week.

Is it any wonder that employees are not really enthusiastic about working? The hypocrisy is really high.

The stated reason for demanding the return to the office is for collaboration and creativity.

Yeah, maybe. But not everything is about collaboration right then and there or about creativity. Sometimes it is about waiting for someone’s input because they have to do something first. Or creativity is best between 2 or 3 people, not a roomful of people.

Sometimes it is about managers not knowing what else to do but to check on whether people are working. As if sitting in a chair = productivity.

My most productive moments – i.e.. breakthrough idea – comes about through walking/jogging.

Patagonia is even on it

“Patagonia gave some 90 staff members just three days to decide whether they would relocate close to the office or quit their jobs.”

Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, “Bosses are making their staff return to the office or quit—but they’re notably absent themselves”, August 12, 2025

It is sad; even Patagonia is demanding the return to office full time.

I’m kind of surprised.

Why are CEOs adamant about forcing the return to the office?

“For the same reason as most: IWG’s research shows they want to avoid a long commute.”

Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, “Bosses are making their staff return to the office or quit—but they’re notably absent themselves”, August 12, 2025

Do as I say, not as I do.

Who is hurt by this?

There are a specific type of worker who is hurt by this demand: those at the bottom of the wage scale.

And so, the inequity grows.

The link to the full article is here.