Return-to-Office Mandates Carry Retention and Recruiting Risks

Recent coverage reports that one in four executives uses RTO as a layoff strategy and cites a Paramount sequence and reported turnover, hiring-delay, and high-performer attrition findings; underlying studies and employer motives need verification. A construction-focused discussion emphasizes leadership presence, workforce-informed vision, and early stakeholder involvement, but offers little evidence on employee outcomes. CHROs and boards should evaluate attendance policies against talent and workplace outcomes rather than assume mandates improve collaboration or productivity.