Skip to main content

Will Returning to Work 5 Days a Week Enhance Productivity and Employee Wellbeing?


The debate over the optimal workplace model—fully remote, hybrid, or full-time in-office—is at the forefront of discussions among senior executives. Recent publications, such as those in Harvard Business Review and Deloitte Insights, have highlighted the complexities of this decision. Some argue that a full return to the office enhances collaboration and preserves company culture, while others point to the sustained productivity and improved work-life balance achieved through remote work. For professional services firms, this decision directly impacts productivity, employee well-being, and long-term success. While some organizations are calling employees back to the office full-time, others are embracing hybrid or fully remote models tailored to their unique workforce and client demands. The question remains: will a full return to the office enhance productivity and employee well-being?

Arguments in Favor of Returning to the Office Full-Time

Enhanced collaboration and teamwork are among the most significant advantages of in-office environments. These spaces foster spontaneous collaboration, where ideas flow freely, problems are resolved quickly, and mentorship opportunities naturally arise. This is particularly critical in industries that thrive on teamwork, creativity, and collective problem-solving. For example, brainstorming sessions and whiteboard discussions are often more productive in person, where non-verbal cues and real-time feedback strengthen communication.

Face-to-face interactions also build stronger interpersonal relationships, reduce the risk of miscommunication, and allow for more effective mentoring and coaching. Senior executives can more easily identify and address team dynamics, performance challenges, and development opportunities when they have regular in-person touchpoints. This is vital for cultivating future leaders and maintaining a robust talent pipeline.

Many firms have expressed concerns that remote work has diluted their organizational culture. In-person interactions help reinforce shared values, foster stronger team bonds, and instill a sense of belonging. Office environments also provide opportunities for employees to engage in informal social activities, which contribute to a cohesive workplace culture and stronger employee engagement.

For some employees, the structured environment of an office enhances focus and productivity. The office eliminates many of the distractions common in home settings, such as household responsibilities or inadequate workspaces. Additionally, the separation between work and home life can help employees establish healthier boundaries, which may improve focus during work hours.

Arguments Against Returning Full-Time

A full-time office schedule often comes with longer commutes, reduced personal time, and increased stress levels. These factors can lead to diminished employee well-being, lower job satisfaction, and higher attrition rates. For many professionals, particularly those with caregiving responsibilities, flexibility is a key component of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

In a competitive talent market, rigid office mandates may drive employees to seek opportunities elsewhere. Companies offering hybrid or remote work options have a distinct advantage in attracting and retaining top talent, especially among younger professionals who prioritize flexibility and autonomy.

Remote work has demonstrated its ability to maintain or even enhance productivity in many knowledge-based roles. Tasks requiring deep focus, such as data analysis, financial modeling, or strategy development, often benefit from the quieter, more controlled environments that remote work provides.

Reintroducing rigid schedules, commutes, and limited flexibility could lead to burnout among employees who have become accustomed to a more adaptable work model. Organizations risk disengagement and reduced morale if they fail to account for the mental and physical toll of full-time office mandates.

What’s Working for Different Categories of Professional Services Firms?

Accounting and Audit Firms

Hybrid models dominate in this sector, allowing employees to balance office days for collaboration and remote days for focused tasks. On-site work fosters teamwork during busy audit seasons and facilitates in-person client meetings, while remote work supports complex, individual-focused tasks like tax preparation and financial modeling. However, client-facing roles require flexibility, making rigid schedules less appealing.

Consulting Firms

Many consulting firms adopt hybrid models, with client needs dictating work locations. On-site client meetings enhance trust and relationship-building, while remote work provides consultants the flexibility to handle analysis, reporting, and strategy development. Maintaining culture and mentoring junior staff require intentional in-office engagement.

Legal and Advisory Services

This sector typically sees a mix of full-time office work and hybrid arrangements, depending on the firm’s size and practice area. Litigation practices benefit from physical presence for team collaboration and court preparation, whereas transactional work, such as contract drafting, adapts well to remote work. Junior lawyers may miss critical in-person learning and mentorship opportunities.

Technology and IT Services

Technology firms are the most likely to embrace fully remote or flexible hybrid work models. Software development and IT support tasks can often be completed remotely with minimal disruption. Hybrid work balances individual productivity with team collaboration for problem-solving. Managing cybersecurity, maintaining team cohesion, and preventing employee isolation requires ongoing attention.

Hybrid Work as a Middle Ground

Many professional services firms are finding that hybrid work models offer the best of both worlds. This approach combines the collaborative benefits of in-office work with the flexibility and focus of remote work. Flexibility allows employees to align workdays with personal priorities, enhancing overall satisfaction and well-being. Strategic in-person collaboration ensures that office days are reserved for activities such as team meetings, client interactions, and mentoring sessions. Firms offering hybrid arrangements are better positioned to attract and retain top talent, particularly among younger professionals. Additionally, hybrid models reduce overhead costs by limiting the need for large office spaces while maintaining an in-person presence.

The Verdict: Will Returning Full-Time Enhance Productivity and Wellbeing?

For professional services firms, the answer is not one-size-fits-all. While a full-time return may benefit industries reliant on in-person collaboration or client interaction, it is unlikely to universally enhance productivity or employee wellbeing. Senior executives must carefully evaluate their workforce dynamics, industry demands, and employee preferences to determine the optimal work model. By adopting a tailored approach, firms can strike the right balance between meeting business objectives and supporting employee wellbeing—key drivers of long-term success.

References

Accenture. (n.d.). Future of work strategies. Retrieved from https://www.accenture.com

Deloitte Insights. (n.d.). Workforce strategies and trends. Retrieved from https://www2.deloitte.com

Gartner. (n.d.). Workplace productivity research. Retrieved from https://www.gartner.com

Harvard Business Review. (n.d.). Hybrid work model insights. Retrieved from https://hbr.org

McKinsey & Company. (n.d.). Consulting trends and post-pandemic workforce. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com

PwC. (n.d.). Future of work study: Employee expectations in hybrid models. Retrieved from https://www.pwc.com

Smith, A., & Jones, B. (2022). The evolving workplace: Challenges and opportunities in a post-pandemic world. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 43(5), 15-25.

Taylor, J. (2021). Remote work productivity: A comprehensive analysis. International Journal of Business Research, 18(3), 101-120.

Wilson, R. (2020). Leadership in the hybrid era: Strategies for success. Leadership Quarterly, 31(6), 58-72.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Post

Beyond Double-Entry: Blockchain and the Evolution of Accounting

How blockchain technology is reshaping transparency, efficiency, and trust in the accounting profession. Accounting at a Crossroads For centuries, double-entry bookkeeping has been the foundation of modern accounting. First developed in the 15th century by Luca Pacioli, this method revolutionized financial recordkeeping by introducing a system of checks and balances. Yet, even this historic innovation is not immune to the pressures of the digital age. Enter blockchain technology—a disruptive force reshaping how we think about trust, accuracy, and transparency in financial transactions. Much like double-entry bookkeeping transformed accounting, blockchain introduces a paradigm shift: triple-entry accounting. This system incorporates blockchain’s immutable ledger as a single source of truth, enabling a new level of accountability and efficiency. This article explores how blockchain technology is driving the evolution of accounting, the challenges it poses, and how accountants can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

USAID is Finally "Dead": What’s the Implication for Africa?

This article is a follow-up to my previous piece,  Trump and Musk’s America: A Billionaire-Led Revolution and Africa’s Defining Moment , where I explored the shifting dynamics of American leadership and its impact on Africa. With the increasing privatization of global influence and the decline of traditional institutions like USAID, Africa faces a critical turning point. For decades, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been a dominant force in global development, particularly in Africa. Through billions of dollars in aid, humanitarian assistance, and economic development programs, USAID has played a key role in shaping policies, funding critical infrastructure, and supporting democracy-building initiatives across the continent. However, with recent shifts in U.S. foreign policy, reduced political will, and global financial constraints, the agency is experiencing a significant decline. But what does the "death" of USAID really mean for Africa? Th...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Impossible Revival? Why Andersen Consulting’s Comeback Faces Unprecedented Challenges in Today’s Consulting Landscape

The revival of Andersen Consulting under the auspices of Andersen Global has reignited debates about the viability of resurrecting a brand that once epitomized excellence in consulting. As reported by the  Financial Times  (FT), Andersen Global is strategically leveraging the historical reputation of Andersen Consulting to re-enter a transformed market dominated by firms like Accenture, McKinsey, Deloitte, and Boston Consulting Group (BCG). However, a deeper analysis reveals significant challenges in reclaiming leadership in the consulting industry. From its lack of differentiation to an unproven leadership team and a legacy of ethical controversies, Andersen Consulting’s revival faces an uphill battle. THE RISE, FALL, AND LEGACY OF ANDERSEN CONSULTING Arthur Andersen’s downfall stemmed from its complicity in the Enron accounting scandal, one of the largest corporate frauds in history. Andersen’s auditors were found to have knowingly approved misleading financial statements, l...
Post a Comment
Read more

ISSA™ 5000: A New Era for Sustainability Assurance

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) has ushered in a transformative chapter in corporate reporting and assurance with the release of International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA™) 5000 – General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements. This landmark standard, approved in 2024, is designed to provide a comprehensive and globally applicable framework for the assurance of all sustainability-related information. The Rise of Sustainability Assurance As environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues dominate stakeholder expectations and regulatory landscapes, the demand for credible, consistent, and comparable sustainability reporting has soared. However, this growing demand has highlighted a fragmented assurance environment, with varying standards, scopes, and levels of assurance being applied across jurisdictions and industries. Recognizing the need for clarity and global consistency, the IAASB developed ISSA 5000 as a foundational...
Post a Comment
Read more

Trump and Musk’s America: A Billionaire-Led Revolution and Africa’s Defining Moment

Introduction: The Moment Africa Has Been Waiting For Africa is at a turning point. For decades, foreign powers have exploited the continent’s vast natural resources while African nations remained dependent on foreign aid, imports, and external control. However, for the first time in modern history, all global superpowers are too distracted to focus on Africa. The United States, under Donald Trump, is focused on domestic economic protectionism, reducing foreign aid, and bringing manufacturing back home. With Elon Musk reshaping key industries from energy to technology America’s shift towards self-reliance is accelerating. Europe is struggling with economic recession, rising immigration crises, and internal political instability. China, once Africa’s dominant economic partner, is battling economic slowdowns and trade conflicts with the West. Russia is fully engaged in war, prioritizing military spending over global economic expansion. Meanwhile, some African nations especially in Francop...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Deep Dive into ISA 240 (Revised): The Auditor’s Responsibilities Relating to Fraud

In recent years, financial scandals and corporate failures have reignited global attention on the auditor’s role in detecting fraud. Stakeholders—including regulators, investors, and the public—are increasingly questioning whether auditors are doing enough to detect and respond to fraudulent activities during financial statement audits. In response to this concern, the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) has taken a significant step to strengthen the expectations and responsibilities of auditors with the proposed revisions to International Standard on Auditing (ISA) 240 . Background The existing ISA 240, titled "The Auditor’s Responsibilities Relating to Fraud in an Audit of Financial Statements," outlines the auditor’s obligation to obtain reasonable assurance that financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether caused by error or fraud. However, increasing complexity in financial reporting, evolving fraud schemes, and public scru...
Post a Comment
Read more

The PwC Layoffs and What They Signal for Careers at the Big Four: Trends, Triggers, and a Wake-Up Call for Early Professionals

  In early May 2025, PwC confirmed the layoff of approximately 1,500 U.S. employees, representing about 2% of its domestic workforce. While the Big Four firm stressed that this was a difficult but necessary decision, the move has sparked wider concerns within the accounting and professional services industry. For young professionals and aspiring accountants, this moment is more than a headline—it's a warning signal. This article explores the rationale behind the layoffs, the core causes driving the trend, the demographics of those impacted, and why Deloitte, KPMG, and EY are likely to follow suit before the year ends. Most importantly, it provides practical advice to those pursuing careers within the Big Four in this rapidly evolving landscape. Understanding the Rationale PwC attributed the decision to historically low levels of attrition and strategic workforce realignment. In essence, not enough people were leaving on their own, leading to staffing levels that outpaced actual ...
Post a Comment
Read more