UNITED STATES — A new survey from MyPerfectResume finds that only 7% of workers would consider quitting due to the RTO mandate in 2026. This is a massive shift from last year, when half (51%) of the workers said they would quit over the policy.
The workforce this year is riddled with changes, as employees perceive and prioritize matters differently than in 2025, and the dramatic decline in resistance to the return-to-office policy is among them. This reflects a new era of the workforce, which many have called the “Great Compliance,” characterized by employer control over worker leverage.
In this survey, when faced with a mandatory RTO policy, employees say they would:
- Quit outright: 7%
- Comply: 36%
- Search for another remote job: 33%
This is in contrast to their response in 2025, when 51% would quit, and 40% would seek other remote opportunities. There can be numerous reasons for this, but economic anxiety is a primary one. Employees are now holding on to their roles as job security tightens.
2026 as a Year of Workforce Recalibration
Data from this survey revealed how workers anticipate the workforce to be this year:
- 43% predict an increase in on-site work.
- 40% expect hybrid arrangements to increase.
- 17% expect an increase in remote opportunities.
- 40% believe on-site employees will be favored.
The RTO mandate may shift power dynamics, with 74% of employees believing their bargaining power will decline this year. This includes their influence in negotiating policies around performance, presence, and visibility.
This survey tells a clear story: The power is leaning back toward employers. Companies are now reclaiming the authority to decide how operations are to be conducted
