Amazon, Walmart, and other large companies have recently implemented stricter return to office mandates, each citing various reasons. Remote work—and even hybrid arrangements—are slowly being phased out, with companies pushing employees back to the office. JPMorgan Chase Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon has been one of the more vocal advocates of this return to office, both within his company and, more broadly recently, when discussing federal employees.
At The Atlantic Festival, where he discussed U.S. politics, Dimon stated he would “make Washington, D.C. go back to work,” expressing surprise at how many government buildings remain underutilized. “I can’t believe, when I come down here, the empty buildings. The people who work for you not going to the office,” he remarked. This isn’t unexpected: JPMorgan was one of the first major employers to initiate a return to office policy, highlighting the limitations of remote work. According to Dimon, remote setups hinder “spontaneous idea generation” and aren’t conducive to managing teams effectively, as shared in Fortune.
Dimon Isn’t Alone in This Sentiment
The financial sector as a whole has been quicker to mandate in-office work. Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon notably referred to remote work as an “aberration.” But this shift isn’t limited to the financial world. A recent KPMG survey of over 1,300 CEOs (400 of those being in the United States) in 11 key markets and industry sectors revealed that nearly 80% of CEOs believed that hybrid employees will return to full-time office work by 2027—a rise of more than double from just 34% earlier this year. The survey covered companies with annual revenues over $500 million, with a third exceeding $10 billion. This momentum toward in-office work further emphasizes the challenges of being away from the office.
In-Office Workers Have an Edge Over Remote Workers
There are some uncomfortable truths about human behavior. Just as we hastily make snap judgments based on appearance and presence, proximity in the workplace can offer a tangible advantage. The same KPMG survey found that 86% of CEOs plan to reward employees who regularly come into the office with favorable assignments, raises, or promotions. The edge in-office workers enjoy stems from one undeniable fact: proximity accelerates growth.
Proximity Drives Faster Personal And Professional Growth
The saying “proximity is power” holds in organizational settings, where collaboration, spontaneous idea generation, rapport, and community-building naturally flourish in person. While remote work allows for these elements, it doesn’t fully replicate the dynamic created in a shared physical setting. Remote workers often face challenges like blurred boundaries between personal and professional life, and distractions that can hinder productivity and performance.
Paul Knopp, KPMG U.S. Chair and CEO echoed this sentiment with Axios, stating, “Employees develop faster, learn faster, gain new skills faster by in-person interaction, or in-person learning, or in-person mentoring, in-person development.” As with personal relationships, digital interactions can’t fully substitute for face-to-face experiences. With that notion in mind, Knopp also pointed out that “Young workers, in particular, are more likely to want to work from the office.” This preference for younger workers being more inclined toward office-based work environments could also stem from Millennials and Gen Z desiring more purpose and connection in their work, which can be more easily accomplished in person.
It’s not just CEOs who recognize the advantages of office work. According to a survey by the American Staffing Association and Harris Poll, nearly 60% of adults believe in-office workers hold a competitive edge over fully remote workers. With more employees returning to the office—whether by choice or mandate—leaders must remember that organizational success hinges on clear guidance and support. Where people work matters, but ultimately, how they’re led drives success.