Hamilton, ON, Aug. 25, 2025–As more organizations reinstate four and five-day in-office work policies, questions are emerging about the rationale behind these decisions and their potential consequences.

Erin Reid, Professor of Human Resources & Management is available to comment on these policies, including:

• Why two to three days in-office may be optimal for productivity, retention, and employee well-being in white-collar roles
• The lack of evidence supporting improved productivity with full-time in-office policies
• How rigid mandates may exacerbate inequities, particularly for caregivers, people with disabilities, and those with long commutes
• What employers should consider when designing flexible, evidence-informed workplace policies

“Even when you set aside well-being and retention, the data simply doesn’t support the idea that five days in-office leads to better performance,” she says.

She can be reached at reidem@mcmaster.ca