'Collaboration' | What's the key to return-to-office success? McKinsey has some answers

As organizations increasingly enforce return-to-office (RTO) mandates, new research from McKinsey says that employers should prioritize workplace practices that impact collaboration, connectivity, and mentorship to secure employee buy-in.

A survey of thousands of US employees says that while most are satisfied with their working arrangements - whether in-person, hybrid, or remote - many believe their organizations are underperforming in five key areas: collaboration, connectivity, innovation, mentorship, and skill development.

Those practices are essential to improving organizational health and productivity, says the report.

RTO mandates on the rise

The proportion of employees working in office at least four days a week doubled to 68% in recent samples, while remote arrangements dropped to 17% and hybrid models to 14%. Despite these shifts, the data shows no clear link between a specific working model and improved performance outcomes.

Employee satisfaction with their working model remains high, with roughly eight in ten hybrid or in-person employees content with their arrangement, compared to nine in ten remote workers. Meanwhile, employees in all models report similar levels of burnout, effort, and intent to leave, with around 39% expressing plans to quit - a figure near peak pandemic levels.

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Key workforce groups show notable differences in attrition risk. Baby boomers report the lowest intention to leave, while Gen Z employees either working in-person or remotely report higher attrition risks (45% and 51%, respectively).

Strengthening workplace practices

The research highlights that while leaders view their organizations as performing well in key workplace practices, employee perspectives suggest otherwise. For example, 90% of leaders believe their connectivity practices are effective, compared to only 67% of employees.

To close the gap, organizations must reinforce core behaviors that support collaboration, mentorship, and connectivity. Goal alignment, for instance, plays a crucial role in effective collaboration across all working models.

Regular check-ins, clear communication, and structured brainstorming sessions can enhance teamwork, while managers should actively schedule informal engagements like coffee chats or one-on-one meetings to foster stronger connections.

For mentorship, businesses should combine formal programs with informal coaching, leveraging tools such as AI-driven mentor matching or virtual coaching platforms. Additionally, strengthening skill development requires a blend of learning resources, feedback mechanisms, and opportunities to apply new knowledge in practice.

By addressing those workplace practices alongside RTO policies, organizations can improve employee engagement, boost productivity, and build a stronger foundation for long-term success.