One year after MyPerfectResume®, a premium resume-building service, reported that 51% of U.S. workers would quit immediately rather than accept a non-negotiable return-to-office (RTO) mandate, a new national survey reveals a dramatic reversal in employee sentiment.

The 2026 edition of the study, titled “The Great Compliance,” signals that the era of worker leverage is fading. Only 7% of employees now say they would quit outright over a mandatory RTO policy, indicating that The Great Resignation has given way to a renewed acceptance of employer authority.

Looking ahead, workers overwhelmingly expect a shift back to in-office work. Just 27% predict a primarily remote workforce in 2026, while 47% expect most roles to be on-site and another 27% anticipate a hybrid model. As job security tightens, remote work is increasingly viewed as a privilege rather than a right.

Key Findings

• Only 7% of employees say they would quit outright over a mandatory RTO policy, down from 51% in January 2025.
• 74% predict they will have the same or less bargaining power to demand flexibility in 2026.
• 46% expect companies to become stricter about on-site attendance requirements.
• 73% anticipate expanded use of employee surveillance tools.
• 44% believe at least half of U.S. companies will eliminate remote work entirely by the end of 2026.
• 47% expect roles to be wholly or mainly on-site, while 27% foresee hybrid work dominating.

“The era of employee leverage has ended,” said Jasmine Escalera, career expert at MyPerfectResume. “As companies regain control, workers are realizing flexibility isn’t guaranteed; it’s negotiated. Employers know they have the upper hand, and they’re using it to reset expectations around office attendance and accountability.”

Fewer Workers Ready to Walk

When faced with a non-negotiable RTO mandate, workers report a range of responses:

• 7% would quit immediately
• 33% would begin searching for another remote role
• 36% would comply with the mandate
• 25% selected “none of the above”

This marks a sharp decline from 2025, when 91% said they would either quit or seek a remote job rather than comply. The shift underscores how economic uncertainty has tempered resistance.

Productivity Over People

Workers attribute the resurgence of RTO mandates primarily to business priorities rather than cultural concerns:

• 48% cite productivity concerns
• 18% point to leadership preference
• 11% cite real-estate cost justification
• 11% believe RTO is used to quietly reduce headcount
• 9% point to culture concerns

When asked what benefits companies will claim from RTO, workers most frequently predicted productivity gains, followed by improved collaboration and easier management.

Outlook for 2026

• 43% predict a more on-site workforce, while 40% expect hybrid models to grow.
• 40% believe on-site employees will be most favored for pay and promotions.
• 44% expect at least half of U.S. companies to eliminate remote work.
• 74% say they will have the same or less bargaining power to demand flexibility.

To view the full report, visit MyPerfectResume’s Career Center .

Methodology

This report is based on a nationally representative survey conducted by MyPerfectResume using Pollfish in December 2025. The survey included 1,000 U.S. adults employed full-time or part-time and explored expectations around RTO mandates, flexibility, incentives, and organizational power dynamics.

Respondents were 60% female and 40% male, with ages ranging broadly across the workforce. Education levels varied from high school diplomas to graduate degrees, providing a diverse cross-section of the U.S. labor market.