Bosses admit they're using return-to-office mandates to trim down teams—without needing to announce layoffs

As RTO mandates ramp up, many U.S. companies are using in-person requirements to quietly reduce headcount without formal layoffs. Nearly 3 in 10 companies will require five days a week in the office by the end of 2025, despite almost half of workers saying they’d quit if remote work disappeared. Meanwhile, white-collar job growth has stalled, with sectors like healthcare and hospitality leading hiring gains instead.

Employees may think quitting in response to their company’s RTO mandate is a solid retaliatory reaction to their bosses, but it may actually be just what companies need.

Rather than trimming down headcounts by enforcing layoffs, business leaders from across the U.S. told the Federal Reserve Beige Book they’re hoping that upping their in-person requirements