Boots return-to-office | Retailer's CEO says strong WiFi and better lunches on offer to returning staff - is this enough?

News of return-to-office (RTO) mandates is hardly surprising anymore. Some of the UK’s largest businesses have told their staff to get back to the office, or else.

Boots is the latest brand to do so. The pharmacy and cosmetics company told its administrative employees in Nottingham, Weybridge and London, who are currently working up to three days in the office, to return for a full five days a week.

For many working Brits, who have all gotten comfortable with workplace flexibility, being told to come back to their office desks is enough to get them looking for another role.

Research from the CIPD found that six per cent of staff say they left their job in the last year due to a lack of flexible working. This might not seem like a significant number, but it equates to approximately 4 million people in the UK. Whilst 12% of workers changed their profession due to a lack of flexible working options in their sector.