For many professionals, remote work provided an unprecedented level of flexibility, comfort, and control over their schedules. But with the growing number of return-to-office (RTO) mandates, employees are now grappling with how to maintain the work-life balance they carefully built over the past few years.
The impact of return-to-office mandates extends beyond commute times and office seating arrangements. It affects everything from personal time management to daily routines, stress levels, and overall job satisfaction.
Whether your return to office is full-time or hybrid, you may find yourself missing key aspects of remote work. The good news? There are ways to rebuild work-life balance while adjusting to in-person work again.
RTO: 4 things you'll miss about remote work—and how to take back control
The flexibility, quiet focus time, and comforts of home made remote work a game-changer for many. Now, with return-to-office mandates in place, you might find yourself struggling to maintain that same level of balance.
“Honestly, I had mixed feelings about it,” Kevin Liu, VP of products at Octoparse, says about his experience returning to the office after working remotely for three years. “While I missed the energy of in-person meetings, I had built a lifestyle around remote work and wasn’t thrilled about commuting again.”
But all hope isn’t lost! While some perks of remote work might be gone, you can still recreate aspects of that balance in the office. Here’s what you might miss the most—and how to bridge the gap in the return to the office.
1. Flexibility
One of the biggest perks of remote work was having the flexibility to structure your day around your peak productivity hours, personal responsibilities, and even mental breaks. The return to the office can feel like a loss of control over your time, making it harder to juggle work and personal life.
How to regain control:
- Suggest a smooth transition. Gradually adjusting to a new routine can ease the stress of returning to the office. If you can, consider having this conversation with your supervisor. “I started coming in for half-days at first, then gradually built up to a full schedule,” Liu says. “That helped me adjust without feeling overwhelmed.”
- Negotiate flexible hours. If your company allows for it, discuss the possibility of shifting your schedule slightly—starting earlier or later—to align better with your personal needs. “Even shifting by an hour would make a huge difference in avoiding traffic and managing personal responsibilities,” Liu says. (Here’s how to ask for the perfect flexible schedule.)
- Block out focus time. Even if you're back in the office, setting dedicated focus periods on your calendar can help you minimize distractions and work efficiently.
- Take breaks strategically. Use lunch breaks or short walks to refresh your mind and create a balance within your workday.
2. The comfort of home
No cubicles, no fluorescent lights, and no stiff office chairs—remote work allowed people to create workspaces tailored to their comfort. The transition back to the office can feel jarring, especially if the work environment is rigid or uninspiring.
How to make your office space more comfortable:
- Personalize your desk. Bring small touches from home—family photos, desk plants, or a cozy throw blanket—to make your space more inviting. “I assembled a standing desk, brought in a top-notch coffee maker, and promised lunchtime walks to break up the day,” says Gil Dodson, owner of Corridor Recycling, who rebuilt his workstation to be more appealing. “These little adjustments make the return seem more like a fresh start than a setback.”
- Dress comfortably. If your company allows it, opt for business-casual or comfortable work attire to maintain some of the ease you enjoyed at home.
- Use noise-canceling headphones. If you miss the quiet of remote work, blocking out office chatter can help you focus and reduce stress.
3. Saving time on commuting
Working remotely meant no time wasted in traffic or on crowded public transport. Now, commuting has re-entered the daily equation, cutting into time that was once spent on sleep, exercise, or family.
How to make commuting more bearable:
- Use the time wisely. Listen to podcasts, audiobooks, or music to make the commute feel more enjoyable. (Here are six things you can do on your commute to feel better about work.)
- Ask about hybrid options. If your company has some flexibility, see if you can work from home a few days a week to reduce commuting stress.
- Plan your mornings efficiently. A streamlined morning routine can help you get out the door faster and avoid feeling rushed. (Here are three step-by-step plans for saving time every morning.)
4. Better work-life integration
Remote work allowed for seamless blending of professional and personal life—doing laundry between meetings, prepping dinner early, or squeezing in midday workouts. With return-to-office mandates, these conveniences may no longer be possible.
How to maintain work-life integration:
- Set clear work boundaries. Stick to a daily routine, let your team know when you need personal time, and focus on work during office hours. Try to avoid checking emails or taking calls after hours to keep your evenings free. “I set strict limits, steer clear of monitoring emails outside of business hours, and concentrate on daily output to maintain equilibrium,” Dodson says.
- Prioritize time outside of work. Whether it's hitting the gym, scheduling a hobby, or spending time with loved ones, plan non-work activities intentionally to maintain balance.
- Use paid-time-off (PTO) strategically. Take mental health days or short breaks when needed to recharge and reset.
Office returns are a shift—they don’t have to be a setback
Returning to office doesn’t mean work-life balance is lost—it just requires a shift in approach. By identifying the aspects of remote work that benefited you most and finding creative ways to incorporate them into your office routine, you can ease the transition and maintain a fulfilling balance between your professional and personal life.
The impact of a return-to-office mandate varies for everyone, but advocating for your needs and finding small ways to regain flexibility can make a significant difference. Adjusting to office returns is a process, but with the right strategies, you can rebuild the balance that works best for you.