Global Talent #28
Why Millennials Are Resisting RTO, How Hybrid Work is a Smarter Choice to Reduce Costs, and Eliminating Meeting Hallucinations
Gen Z Leans Into Office Life, While Millennials Resist RTO Mandates
Emily Clark | Startups.co.uk | 21 February 2025
University students are signaling a shift in workplace expectations, with 65% valuing a physical office for their first job, according to a UNiDAYS survey. Nearly half (47%) would accept a five-day office schedule, while only 11% favor fully remote roles. However, long-term flexibility remains key—54% prefer hybrid work, and 20% seek work-from-anywhere policies. The pandemic’s isolation may have influenced Gen Z’s desire for in-person work. Student loneliness spiked during lockdowns, with 66% reporting frequent isolation. Even after restrictions eased, hybrid university models persisted, leaving students craving real-world interaction. Meanwhile, millennials resist return-to-office (RTO) mandates. A TopCV survey found one in three ignores RTO rules, with 37% planning to work remotely regardless. One in six would quit over strict policies, prioritizing work-life balance and mental health. As companies push RTO, younger workers embrace the office, while experienced professionals push back.
Will Revolut’s Hybrid Work Policy Give It a Competitive Edge Over Traditional Banks?
Luisa Beltran | Fortune | February 21, 2025
As major banks like JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs enforce stricter return-to-office (RTO) policies, fintech giant Revolut is taking the opposite approach. The London-based company reaffirmed its commitment to hybrid work in a memo to its 10,000+ employees, emphasizing performance over physical presence. Revolut’s flexible model, adopted in 2020, remains in place even as its office footprint expands. The company will move into a larger London headquarters in May, adding 40% more space. Revolut’s global influence continues to grow, with over 50 million customers and a valuation of $45 billion following an August 2023 secondary stock sale. Revenue is projected to surpass $3 billion this year. While an IPO remains on the horizon, the timing is unclear. Meanwhile, traditional banks are doubling down on RTO, with JPMorgan mandating full-time office attendance for its 317,000 employees, sparking internal resistance. Revolut’s stance sets it apart in an industry still debating the future of work.
How Can Leaders Manage Employees Who Constantly Seek Reassurance Without Losing Productivity?
Harry M. Kraemer | Kellogg Insight Podcast | February 4, 2025
Managing teams effectively requires a balance between understanding employee needs and setting clear expectations. Leadership expert Harry Kraemer emphasizes structured feedback as a tool to help employees grow while maintaining efficiency. For employees who crave constant reassurance, leaders should set clear guidelines on feedback frequency and process, addressing potential self-confidence issues along the way. Rebuilding a broken company culture requires transparency. A new leader must acknowledge past failures, openly discuss issues, and involve employees in identifying necessary changes. Gaining trust means listening actively while making decisive, informed choices. Leadership isn’t about being liked, it’s about making sound decisions. While dissent is inevitable, once a decision is made, team members must align with it. Resistance should be met with clarity: employees’ voices are valued, but the team must move forward together. Effective leadership is a mix of empathy, decisiveness, and accountability in a high-stakes business environment.
Is Hybrid Work the Key to Retaining Top Talent and Reducing Costs?
Ellen Ernst Kossek, N. Sharon Hill, et al | Harvard Business Review | February 20, 2025
Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the workplace, many companies, including JPMorgan, Amazon, and the U.S. government—are pushing for a full return to the office (RTO). However, research suggests a more strategic approach is needed. Studies show that hybrid workers are as productive as full-time in-office employees and are less likely to quit. Remote work also leads to significant cost savings, with some firms cutting real estate expenses by up to 50%. Despite these benefits, many companies lack clear policies that align with their business goals. Common mistakes include inconsistent flexibility policies and leaving key decisions to individual managers, creating inefficiencies and disparities. Instead of blindly following trends, firms should integrate remote work into their broader strategy, using internal data to refine policies. Companies like Moody’s and Dropbox leverage analytics to optimize hybrid models, while firms such as Spotify and Yelp have seen improved retention by embracing remote work.
What Are Meeting Hallucinations, and How Can They Derail Corporate Communication?
Emily Williams | Fast Company | February 17, 2025
Miscommunication in corporate meetings is a common yet overlooked issue, often leading to unproductive discussions. A linguist and data scientist at AT&T highlights the concept of “meeting hallucinations,” where participants make incorrect assumptions about shared knowledge, derailing conversations. Just as AI generates hallucinations - false or misleading outputs, humans frequently misinterpret or assume information, especially in meetings where complex ideas and decisions unfold. The root cause lies in mismatched “common ground” assumptions. One participant may believe a goal is clear, while another holds a different interpretation. These disconnects result in circular discussions, wasted time, and hidden conflicts. To counter this, teams should reflect on assumptions before meetings, clearly state objectives upfront, and reestablish shared understanding when confusion arises. Addressing these gaps not only streamlines discussions but also enhances team alignment and decision-making.
