Workers are refusing to return to the office, and they are ready to face the consequences

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One in four US workers say they have refused to comply with their employer's instruction to return to the office – and are willing to accept termination as a result.

A survey of 1,000 remote workers by insurance tech company Reli Exchange found that 75% of employers had instructed staff to return to on-site work at least part of the time. Of these, 26% said they were choosing not to comply with their bosses' in-office mandates, even if it meant getting fired.

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Older Millennials and younger Gen Xers (35 to 44) were the least likely to comply with return-to-office orders, the survey found, suggesting that employees have become accustomed to the benefits of greater flexibility offered by remote- and hybrid-working arrangements.

Health concerns and work-life balance were the most-cited advantages of remote working, each referred to by 50% of respondents. When asked what they would do if they were fired for not returning to the office, 40% said they would start their own business, while 40% would simply find a new job. This compares to just 11% who would ask for their job back.

Also: When it comes to tackling the skills shortage, employers are obsessing over the wrong thing

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