The start of 2025 is bringing major shifts for U.S. workplaces, with federal return-to-office (RTO) mandates setting the tone for what’s ahead. The Trump administration’s push for increased in-office presence among federal employees has accelerated, and states like Indiana are following suit. Indiana’s governor recently mandated RTO for state employees, signaling that a broader movement toward pre-pandemic workplace structures may be underway. These moves could present both opportunities and serious challenges for HR professionals striving to balance organizational goals with employee needs.

RTO mandates: Back to cubicle workdays

Indiana’s decision to mandate RTO for state employees signals that more organizations will be reverting to pre-pandemic ways of working. The shift is not limited to state employees but federal workers are feeling the RTO heat as new policies under the Trump administration push for increased in-office presence across federal agencies. However, companies and HR professionals should be concerned about potential employee pushback. According to a MyPerfectResume survey, only 2% of workers prefer full-time on-site work, while 36% state that no perk could convince them to return to the office. Taking this even further, 77% of those surveyed believe that RTO mandates are more about companies exerting control over employees than an attempt to improve productivity.