Why RTO Mandates Don't Fix Productivity Issues

Think forcing everyone back to the office will fix your problem with remote slackers? Nope.

Some businesses are struggling with unproductive remote employees. You know the type - always “online” but somehow never delivering results. The knee-jerk reaction? A blanket return-to-office mandate.

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While this might be the way it’s presented on the surface, I think the current RTO wave isn’t about productivity.

Some companies may be pushing it because they have expensive office spaces collecting dust. Others may be using it as a way to make employees quit instead of firing them. And, of course, there’s the copycat effect - one big company does it, and suddenly, everyone else follows.

But if your real concern is productivity, forcing people into an office won’t magically make them work harder. So what actually works?

Hiring the right people will work 99% of the time.

First, if you’re hiring the wrong people, no amount of tracking or office time will fix that. Your hiring process should filter for accountability, clear communication, and self-discipline. I already made a video on my process for hiring remotely - check out my profile for that.

Ditch tracking tools – they don't work (and make your employees hate you)

Next, let’s talk about tracking tools. I’ve been there - worried people would slack off, so I tried screen monitoring and time tracking. Guess what? The people who wanted to game the system still found ways around it.

Instead of micromanaging, focus on results, not activity.

Project-based accountability

Set clear projects with deadlines and deliverables. A solid remote worker will meet expectations, communicate issues early, and deliver quality. A slacker? They’ll always have an excuse, blame someone else, or produce garbage (or all of them at the same time…).

This is the only method I’ve found that actually works.

But there’s a problem with big companies…

Now, if you’re running a company with 5,000 employees, this is harder. Bad management creates the perfect environment for slackers - teams that do the bare minimum, led by managers who don’t care, reporting to executives chasing bonuses. It's just easier to effectively structure and manage 50 people rather than 5000 people.

At the end of the day, forcing people back to the office won’t fix that. It just pushes great employees toward companies like mine - small, well-run, remote, and thriving.

So honestly? Thank you, RTO.

P. S. Check out the link below for a small marketing treat!