By Dorothy Rogers-Bullis
As we step into 2025, the question on everyone’s mind remains: “What’s going on with Return to Office RTO)?” My answer? It depends.
I’ve been asked this question so many times, I should probably print it on a t-shirt. As the president of drb Business Interiors and co-founder of Saratoga CoWorks, I’ve seen the challenges and opportunities from every angle—whether it’s a business owner trying to coax employees back to the office or an employee wondering if they can work from home in their pajamas just one more day. Spoiler alert: It’s complicated.
Making the Office Worth the Commute
When business owners ask, “How do I get my employees back in the office?” My first response is simple: Make the office worth coming back to. Let’s face it, if your office looks like a scene from a 1990s sitcom (complete with beige cubicles and fluorescent lights), why would anyone trade their home office—where the coffee is free, the dress code is sweatpants, and there’s a dog under the desk?
Today’s offices need to offer more than just a place to work. Think ergonomic chairs that don’t scream “chiropractor visit pending,” collaborative spaces that spark creativity, and yes, even some creature comforts like good coffee and snacks. In 2024, we redesigned countless offices to include these features, helping businesses create environments that employees actually want to be in.
The Flexibility Factor
But it’s not just about the furniture. Flexibility is the name of the game. For decades, the 8-to-5, Monday-to-Friday schedule was the gold standard. Now, employees want hybrid schedules that let them balance work and life without sacrificing either. Business owners who adapt—offering staggered schedules or remote work options—often find that productivity improves along with morale.
That said, flexibility must be carefully managed. Many employees have shared that working from home often comes with higher expectations for productivity. Without clear boundaries, this can lead to burnout. Striking the right balance is crucial. Instead of offering one work-from-home day each week, some businesses find that a few days a month makes more sense. Again, it depends on the business and the team.
The Shift in Employee Sentiment
Interestingly, the once-universal love affair with remote work is cooling off. When I ask employees if they enjoy working from home, many now say, “No. I miss the energy of the office.” This shift presents an opportunity for businesses to redefine what the office means: a space for connection, collaboration, and culture.
There’s also a mentorship gap to consider. When employees aren’t in the office, they miss out on organic opportunities to learn from senior staff. Those spontaneous moments—sharing ideas over coffee or receiving advice in a hallway conversation—are critical for professional growth. Being in a professional environment not only improves your skill set and helps with networking, but it’s also better for your mental health than working alone at home. In industries like finance, tech, and creative fields, these interactions foster innovation and skill development, laying the foundation for long-term business growth.
Coworking: A Creative Solution
For some businesses, traditional office spaces aren’t the answer. That’s where coworking comes in. At Saratoga CoWorks, we’ve seen everyone from solopreneurs to Fortune 500 teams embrace coworking as a flexible, cost-effective alternative. It’s the best of both worlds: professional space without the overhead.
We’ve even worked with companies who maintain coworking memberships for their teams and gather the whole crew for retreats a few times a year. It’s a model that fosters both collaboration and community—without breaking the bank.
The Future: Embracing Adaptability
So, where does this leave us in 2025? The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Whether it’s redesigning office spaces to make them irresistible or embracing hybrid and coworking models, the key is adaptability.
At DRB Business Interiors, we specialize in creating customized work environments that meet the unique needs of your business and team. If you’re ready to transform your workspace into a hub of productivity and collaboration, let’s talk. After all, in the ever-evolving world of work, the best approach depends on your specific goals—and we’re here to help you achieve them.