'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.