Return to Office Mandates - Navigating the New Normal in Workforce Attendance

The remote work revolution, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, shifted how millions of employees engage with their jobs. However, in 2025, a new wave is emerging: the return-to-office (RTO) mandate. Large enterprises, banks, and even government institutions are now pushing for more frequent in-office attendance. This shift is reshaping not just where people work, but how businesses manage and track employee attendance. 

National Australia Bank (NAB) recently made headlines by announcing stricter in-office requirements for its staff. This move sparked significant backlash from unions and employees alike, with concerns over work-life balance, commute costs, and overall morale. Yet NAB is not alone. Companies across finance, tech, and healthcare are beginning to rethink hybrid models, citing benefits like collaboration, productivity, and workplace culture. 

These mandates vary — some require three days in-office, others four or even five. But one thing is clear: flexibility is giving way to structure, and attendance tracking is back at the forefront of workforce management. 

With employees expected to be physically present more often, organisations must ensure they have accurate, efficient, and transparent systems in place to track attendance. 

The days of loosely monitored work-from-home setups are being replaced by: 

Inaccurate attendance tracking can lead to disputes, payroll errors, and employee dissatisfaction. Now, more than ever, companies need robust systems that provide both accountability and flexibility. 

Many employees have grown accustomed to the benefits of remote work — reduced travel, more family time, and the ability to design their workday around peak productivity hours. 

Forced returns to the office can feel like a step backward. To ease the transition, leading companies are: Implementing hybrid attendance policies with clear expectations. 

Offering wellness incentives tied to in-office days. Using analytics to understand attendance trends and adjust policies accordingly. A successful return-to-office strategy isn’t about control — it’s about communication, support, and trust. 

This transition presents a valuable opportunity for businesses to leverage attendance data more effectively. Time and attendance systems can offer insights such as: Which departments or teams are most consistent with office attendance. The impact of RTO policies on productivity or attrition. 

Whether hybrid models or full-time in-office setups perform better in your organisation. These insights can help HR leaders refine policies, improve employee satisfaction, and drive long-term success. 

Return-to-office mandates are here, and for many organisations, they signal a cultural and operational shift. But rather than viewing them as a regression, businesses can use this opportunity to modernise their attendance systems, re-engage their teams, and build a more intentional, data-driven workplace. At the heart of this transition lies one core principle: showing up matters — but how you track it matters even more.

jimc@timeandattendance.com.au

1300 553 254

0437 772 977