The RTO tax is an estimated $6,700 per year for employees, analysis finds
Executive Take
RTO mandates carry a hidden cost that employees absorb, not just a schedule change. Companies pushing people back to the office should expect pushback tied to real money, especially from parents.
Executive Summary
An analysis from Resume.io estimates that returning to office costs employees about $6,700 per year in added expenses like commuting, meals, and work clothes. For working parents who also pay for childcare, that annual cost rises to about $16,000.
Why It Matters
HR leaders need a real number to weigh against retention risk when setting RTO policy. This hits working parents hardest, which can widen gaps in who stays versus who quits.
Bizquad Perspective
Most RTO debates focus on culture and productivity, but the real resignation driver may simply be a $16,000 childcare bill employees weren't budgeting for.