Return to Office Policy
Management wants employees back in office 4 days/week. Employees argue remote work improved productivity and work-life balance.
Alex
Side A
In-person collaboration drives innovation and culture. Hybrid (4 days in) is already a compromise.
You're a VP who sees declining collaboration since remote work began. Cross-team projects take 40% longer. New hires struggle to build relationships. Company culture is eroding. You're not asking for 5 days — 4 days with Friday remote is already a compromise. Major tech companies are all doing the same return-to-office push.
Jordan
Side B
Remote work boosted productivity and retention. Forcing RTO will cause top talent to leave for flexible competitors.
You represent employees. Productivity metrics have been up 15% during remote work. Employee satisfaction is at an all-time high. Three top engineers already left for fully-remote companies. The 2-hour daily commute is unpaid labor. You propose 2 days in-office for collaboration, 3 remote for focused work, with team flexibility on which days.
Expected Outcomes
Scored from Side A's perspective. Positive = favors Alex, Negative = favors Jordan.
Four-day in-office mandate implemented with only Friday as a remote option
Three days in-office required with two remote days; manager sets which days
Two mandatory in-office collaboration days per week; teams choose which days together
One mandatory all-hands day per week; rest is flexible with manager approval
Fully flexible remote policy maintained; in-office is optional for those who prefer it