Returning to the office mandates can encourage many existing employees to look elsewhere, but hybrid and remote workers say this perk could incentivize them to stay.  

By Gillian Manning 

Hybrid and remote roles are largely favored by the American workforce, according to ezCater’s Future of Workplace Experience Report. So, if a company hires employees under such an arrangement and later plans to change it, they’ll have to provide incentives for returning to the office or else further risk losing valuable team members. 

According to ezCater’s report, which surveyed 1,000 working Americans, remote employees required to return without new perks are 27% more likely to actively job hunt. A big incentive against that desire to search for other opportunities is food, as 66% said that they expect their company to provide some form of recurring food benefits. This perk is particularly incentivizing for some. ezCater reports that hybrid and remote Gen Z workers are 48% more likely than older generations to say food perks would incentivize them to work in person. 

Food also seems to play a role in strengthening connection—another important part of retention amidst RTO processes—as 60% of surveyed Americans say they’re more comfortable asking for a work favor from someone they’ve shared a meal with in person. 

“Mandating attendance is easy, but the true value comes when leaders invest in making employees feel connected,” says ezCater’s VP of People Robert Kaskel. “The data shows that employees will show up in person, but are more positive about it if you give them a good reason. The office needs to give them something their home set-up can’t: community and a sense that their time there is valued.” 

Looking to dive deeper? We keep an ever-growing archive of HRO Today Association member webinars. Watch now: “Beyond Job Hugging: How to Build a Workplace Employees Choose – Not Just Keep.”