What: Korn Ferry wonders if employees can be incentivized, rather than threatened, to come back to the office.

Why it is important: Work From Home has limits in terms of team interactions and overall productivity. Making sure that employees are happy to come back to the office is key to keeping their motivation intact.

Over the 2023 summer, many CEOs demanded employees return to the office, threatening their career prospects if they chose to work remotely. However, as office occupancy remains around 50%, CEOs are shifting strategies, incentivizing employees to return.

A recent survey of 400 US CEOs showed 90% are ready to reward in-office workers with promotions, raises, or better assignments.

Instead of pressuring with threats, leaders are now trying the allure of rewards. Early incentives were modest, like free lunches or tickets, but some CEOs have grown concerned about potential decreases in productivity with remote work.

Despite the pushback from companies, many employees prefer remote working due to eliminated commutes and unresolved childcare issues from the pandemic. A strong job market has also empowered employees, making CEOs reconsider strong-arm tactics. Experts believe emphasizing a welcoming office culture rather than a mandatory one may yield better results in the current landscape.

Can having employees coming back to the office be an incentive, rather than a threat?