How managers got caught up in the RTO clash

In the battle between execs and employees, managers lose

By Chantal Kapani

November 25, 2025

Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

Middle managers face the challenge of upholding return to office (RTO) mandates as their teams resist losing remote working freedoms.

Tech giants are making headlines for declaring the end of remote work, and employees are far from impressed.

The latest return to office (RTO) wave has sparked a clash between executives’ and employees’ expectations. In the middle of this storm, managers are being tasked with enforcing unpopular RTO mandates.

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About the author

Chantal Kapani

Chantal is a staff writer at LeadDev, exploring emerging trends and telling stories that spark meaningful conversations in software leadership.

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How managers got caught up in the RTO clash

By Chantal Kapani

Your inbox, upgraded.

Join LeadDev.com for free to access this content

About the author

Chantal Kapani

New York

Berlin

London

Meetups

How managers got caught up in the RTO clash

By Chantal Kapani

Your inbox, upgraded.

Join LeadDev.com for free to access this content

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