{
  "id": 137032,
  "title": "'A new era of workplace sabotage': Employees really aren't happy with being forced back to the office - and many are starting to fight back",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/a-new-era-of-workplace-sabotage-employees-really-arent-happy-with",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-04T16:05:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechRadar",
    "slug": "techradar",
    "url": "https://www.techradar.com/pro/a-new-era-of-workplace-sabotage-employees-really-arent-happy-with-being-forced-back-to-the-office-and-many-are-starting-to-fight-back"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new wave of workplace dissent is emerging as employees vehemently oppose forced return-to-office (RTO) mandates, with Enhancv reporting that many see these regulations as a covert means of layoffs. The findings reveal that younger workers are particularly vulnerable, expressing a sense of unfair targeting. The report suggests that RTO policies may inadvertently lead to a \"new era of workplace sabotage,\" with workers resorting to tactics such as \"coffee badging\" to undermine the corporate agenda.\n\nThe Enhancv study, which polled 1,000 U.S. full-time workers subjected to RTO policies in the past year, highlights a profound lack of trust among employees, especially in light of ongoing AI-driven job cuts. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of respondents suspect RTO policies are a guise for stealth layoffs through employee attrition. Additionally, 46% admitted to \"coffee badging,\" a practice that has become widespread among those who doubt the authenticity of corporate intentions.\n\nThe concept of \"The Great Compliance\" is introduced, describing a scenario where employees physically attend work to meet badge requirements while mentally checking out. This phenomenon is attributed to the trust deficit, with over a quarter (27.8%) of employees successfully negotiating personal exceptions to RTO policies, thereby creating a two-tier workforce. Younger generations, particularly Gen Z (ages 18-24) and younger Millennials, reported the lowest trust in corporate motives, which contradicts the notion that RTO mandates are essential for nurturing the next generation of workers.\n\nA significant 36% of employees admitted to applying for new jobs while at the office, and another 36% started side hustles, highlighting a growing trend of seeking financial security in a workplace they no longer trust. The report concludes that employers' efforts to fill desks may be counterproductive, as employees utilize these spaces as platforms for the \"Great Exit,\" signaling a potential long-term retention crisis for the companies.",
  "summary": "Study claims the majority of workers now see RTO as a stealthy way to reduce headcount - and so the sabotage begins.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}