Workers Take Legal Action Over Return to Office Policies
In this episode, Carl Gould appears as a business advisor guest on the show to discuss the increasing trend of employees suing or challenging mandatory “return‑to‑office” (RTO) policies. He analyzes how these mandates—which many employers are enforcing more strictly post‑pandemic—are creating legal and cultural risk for organizations. Gould explains that while companies aim to boost productivity and collaboration by bringing workers back on‑site, they may be overlooking critical considerations such as accommodations for disability, remote‑work agreements, and fair treatment. He emphasizes that RTO policies are no longer purely operational—they’re now part of the legal landscape.
Key take‑aways from Carl include:
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Rigid return‑to‑office mandates can trigger legal claims under disability, age, or discrimination laws.
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Employers must engage in an interactive process and consider individual circumstances rather than applying a one‑size‑fits‑all rule.
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The shift back to office work isn’t just about location—it’s about trust, culture, flexibility, and respecting worker preferences.
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Employees are increasingly willing to challenge policies via legal channels, signaling that RTO mandates are now a reputational‑and‑risk issue for businesses.