RTO: Back to Reality or Denial of What’s Changed?

Over the past decade, reports of toxic workplaces in the US and UK have risen, thanks to growing awareness and shifting workplace dynamics. A 2023 survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that 19% of US workers described their workplace as "very or somewhat toxic," with those in toxic environments three times more likely to report mental health issues. Harassment reports also jumped from 14% in 2022 to 22% in 2023. Meanwhile, a 2024 study revealed that 70% of UK workers had experienced a toxic workplace at some point, with UK workplaces ranking among the worst in Europe for job strain due to high demands, tight deadlines, and lack of control.

COVID-19 forced many of us to rethink not just work, but life in general. Employees now have less patience for toxic behaviors like poor management, disrespect, and burnout-inducing workloads. Social media has amplified this shift, with platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Glassdoor giving workers a space to share their stories—often with humor and vulnerability. This transparency has exposed toxic workplace issues and empowered others to speak up.

The pandemic also brought remote work into the spotlight. Once the initial chaos settled, many workers found they preferred it. A Pew Research survey showed that 34% of hybrid workers wanted to work from home full-time, and 50% of part-time remote workers wanted to do so most of the time. By 2023, 41% of remote-capable workers had adopted hybrid schedules. Globally, 66% of workers wanted flexible arrangements, and 30% of US workers said they’d quit if forced back to the office full-time. In the UK, a 2024 Forbes survey found that 63% of workers were already working remotely at least part of the time.

Despite this, many employers are pushing for a return to full-time office work, citing the need for better communication, collaboration, and accountability. In January 2025, President Trump ordered all federal employees back to the office five days a week, echoing Elon Musk’s view that hybrid work is a “COVID-era privilege.” Unsurprisingly, workers aren’t thrilled. They’re bracing for longer commutes, higher expenses, more stress, and less family time.

So, who’s really out of touch here? Is it employees who can’t face the modern workplace, or leaders refusing to admit the world has changed?

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