The message from corporate America is getting clearer by the day: Return to office or find a new job. As Starbucks joins Amazon in mandating office attendance, we’re witnessing what many are calling “soft layoffs” — using rigid return-to-office policies as a way to trim workforces without announcing formal reductions.
Having experienced a layoff firsthand and now working with companies navigating complex transitions, I see both sides of this challenge. Companies want to rebuild culture and collaboration, while employees who’ve built successful remote work lives face impossible choices. The reality is, many won’t return — and companies need to be prepared for this wave of exits.
