Stop blaming Gen Z for resisting RTO: 91% say they want a balance between in-person and remote work

Harris Poll and global events company Freeman surveyed 1,824 U.S. adults with white-collar jobs, and 91% of respondents said they’d like a balance between remote and in-person work to connect with others in their company and industry. Or it might just simply be because Gen Z loves to yap (even though it may not be appropriate for traditional in-office etiquette).

Either way, Gen Z is debunking the idea they despise in office work. 

“Gen Z was born into a digital world that connected their lives from the start, so it’s easy to assume they prefer online worlds to the real one,” the Harris Poll/Freeman survey results read. “But did you know there’s more to the story?”

The report says Gen Z believes attending live events and in-person work will benefit their careers, business relationships, and personal growth. 

“Hungry to move quickly in their careers and prove themselves, they recognize the need for face time with leaders and decision makers in their companies,” Lia Garvin, author of The New Manager Playbook, told Fortune.

This is something they lost during the pandemic, when many Gen Zers were still in college or completing internships fully remote without ever having that in-person learning experience. 

Plus, Gen Zers are becoming more cognizant of the negative impacts of using too much technology. The Harris Poll/Freeman survey shows 69% of Gen Z say that tech has made them feel less connected and more isolated from their coworkers. 

In turn, Gen Z workers may also seek those in-person reactions to combat loneliness. About 79% of white-collar employees have felt lonely as a result of their job, according to a July 2024 report from BSG, a research firm, in partnership with TheLi.st and Berlin Cameron. And another MetLife survey from January showed 30% of Gen Zers reported feeling isolated, compared to 22% across other generations.

“There is a backlash on the feeling of isolation and disconnection,” Garvin said. “Data continues to show a decline in employee engagement across all industries, and people are seeking out the human connection we lost when we moved primarily to remote work.”

Still, it’s important to emphasize Gen Z doesn’t want to be in an office eight hours a day, five days a week. They’re more comfortable in a hybrid setting, human resources leaders confirm.

While Andrew Boccio, co-founder and CEO at executive placement and recruiting firm Landing Point said they’re “not seeing as much pushback from Gen Z about returning to the office,” they’re still resistant about going back to full-time, in-person work.

“They are okay with as much as four days in the office, but place real value on the flexibility to have at least one remote day,” Boccio told Fortune. “By contrast, older candidates with kids and families seem to be the most resistant to returning to the office, which is likely due to differing priorities and demands of their time outside of work.” 

But only about one-fourth of employees work a hybrid model, according to hybrid work technology company Owl Labs‘ 2024 State of Hybrid Work report. A three-day, in-person work week is the most popular model, according to the report, with about 41% of hybrid employees working that schedule. Another study from September 2024 shows 82% of Gen Z employees say they want greater flexibility from their employers.

However, HR leaders contend hybrid-work schedules will likely lean in the direction of more in-person work.

“Our fully remote roles have dropped significantly and are almost nonexistent,” Boccio said. “Hybrid roles now average about four days in office and one day remote, compared to two-to-three days in the office just a few years ago.”