The Dynamics and Complexities of Return‐to‐Office Policies

ABSTRACT Working remotely during the pandemic reshaped workplace culture. Many employers face pushback when implementing return‐to‐office (RTO) policies, primarily because the beliefs and expectations of employers and employees differ. This paper reviews the effects of RTO policies on various outcomes, including employee productivity, voluntary turnover, corporate culture, psychological safety, workplace civility, mental health and well‐being, and burnout incidence. Drawing on theory and research in these areas, it then proposes 10 best practices to support RTO transitions, such as framing the conversation, repairing the psychological contract, and developing RTO and communication strategies. To facilitate further improvements, the paper concludes with a framework comprising six focal areas related to RTO transitions, along with specific questions for future research.