What Return to Office Mandates Really Mean for Small Business Owners

We've all seen the headlines. Another major company announces that everyone needs to be back at their desk. No exceptions. And if you're running a business, it's natural to pause and wonder if you should be thinking about the same thing. 

Here's the part that rarely gets talked about. These decisions are usually driven by financial reality, not culture or collaboration. Big companies are sitting on expensive real estate and trying to make those investments make sense again. That does not mean you should follow their lead. 

When you look at the small business world, the real question is not “Should we bring people back?” The real question is “What does the data tell us about our own team, our space, and our performance?” Once you shift the conversation from trends to numbers, the decision becomes much clearer. 

What Is Really Driving Return to Office Mandates 

Let's start with the obvious. Many large companies own or lease a lot of office space. Those costs do not go away when the building is half empty. 

So when you see a corporation pushing a return to office mandate, it's not always about culture or teamwork. Often, it comes down to real estate. Big companies have made big investments, and they want to see those spaces used. 

This isn't a criticism. It's a reminder. Your business probably looks nothing like theirs. You do not have the same square footage, lease terms, or cost structure. Your decision should be based on your numbers, not someone else’s overhead. 

Does Returning to the Office Improve Productivity 

This is where things get interesting. There is no solid evidence that productivity suddenly improves when people return to a traditional office environment. 

Most of the time, performance has more to do with systems, expectations, and accountability than where someone sits during the day. 

If your team knows what success looks like and you have real metrics to measure it, location becomes a smaller factor. If your structure depends on physically seeing people work, you might be measuring activity instead of results. 

That shift alone can make or break performance. 

If you want more clarity around how to track what matters, start here: 
How to Read Financial Statements for Your Small Business 

The Financial Side of the Office Decision 

Before you think about bringing people back, look at the math. 

Ask yourself: 

• What does my office space cost each month, per person? 
• How much of that space is actually used? 
• Could those dollars support better training, technology, or retention? 
• What does the data tell me about productivity in my current setup? 

These questions point you toward a financial decision, not an emotional one. 

If your space is used well and the team performs better in person, then returning to the office might make sense. If not, there are other ways to strengthen collaboration without committing to higher overhead. 

The numbers will give you a much more honest answer than a headline ever will. 

What Small Business Owners Should Focus On Instead 

Whether your team is remote, hybrid, or fully in person, the real driver of performance is clarity. 

When your systems are documented, your training is consistent, and your metrics are tracked, your team can adapt to almost any structure. 

If you want to improve productivity, start with the foundational pieces. Review one process at a time. Make sure expectations are clear. Track the results. Small, consistent improvements often outperform big structural changes. 

If you need more ideas on that front, here is a helpful resource: 
How to Motivate Employees Without Micromanaging or Going Broke 

What It Means for Your Business

Return to office mandates might make sense for companies that are sitting on expensive real estate. That doesn't mean that choice fits your situation. 

The question is not where people work. The question is whether your team is productive, your space is used well, and your money is supporting the right priorities. 

Don't follow trends. Follow your data. 

Related Resources 

• How to Foster Productive Remote Employees (video) 

• How a Cooling Economy Impacts Small Business Hiring in 2025 

• Behind the Interview: What We Look for in Young Hires

If you want to understand what your numbers are actually telling you about decisions around space, staffing, and strategy, we can help. At Kaizen CPAs, we work with business owners to turn their financials into better-informed decisions every month. 

See How We Work With Small Businesses →