Key Findings

  • A KPMG survey of 1,300 CEOs globally conducted between July and August 2024 shows that 83% of surveyed CEOs predict their companies will require employees to return to the office "full-time" within the next three years, up from 64% last year.
  • The report also reveals generational differences in executives' views on returning to the office: 87% of CEOs aged 60-69 predict a full return to the office, 83% of CEOs aged 50-59 expect this shift, while only 75% of CEOs aged 40-49 hold this view. Additionally, male CEOs (84%) are more likely than female CEOs (78%) to expect a full return to the office.
  • KPMG stated: "This year's survey results show that CEOs' stance on returning to pre-pandemic working methods is strengthening."

In-Depth Analysis:

Since the rise of remote work during the pandemic, CFOs and their companies have been navigating the decision-making challenges of how to structure and fund employee work environments.

A hybrid work model allowing a mix of office and remote work seems to be gaining ground: according to a recent report by commercial real estate and investment management firm JLL, employees in the U.S. and Canada spend only 3.1 days per week in the office, with Wednesday being the most popular office workday, as reported by CFO Dive.

However, this week Amazon CEO Andy Jassy informed employees that starting in January, they must work in the office five days a week. According to CBS News, he joins Elon Musk, who opposes remote work and required employees to work full-time in the office starting in 2022.

KPMG warns in the report of a "growing divide" between executives' and employees' views on the workplace that needs attention.

"The successful leaders of the future will be those who understand that the talent dilemma can only be solved by investing in, developing, and supporting talent, through a 'social contract' that recognizes today's employees not only desire but expect more agile, flexible working environments and better work-life balance—especially amid the widespread cost-of-living crisis," said Nhlamu Dlomu, KPMG International's Global Head of People, in a statement in the report.

Looking at the global data separately, U.S. CEOs' sentiment is slightly less optimistic about expecting a full return to the office. Of the U.S. CEOs surveyed, 79% expect the work environment to shift to a full return to the office within the next three years, 17% expect a hybrid work model, and 4% expect a fully remote work culture.