63% of CEOs predict full return to office by end of 2026 — workers disagree

Nearly two-thirds of global CEOs predict their employees will be back in the office full-time by the end of 2026, according to KPMG’s latest Global CEO Outlook. The finding sits in stark contrast with employee sentiment: Gallup data shows 90% of office workers don’t want to return full-time and would consider quitting if flexible working were removed.

The disconnect is playing out differently across regions. North American banks now require an average of 4.2 days per week in the office, while European banks average 3.4 days. Of Europe’s 15 most valuable banks, none demand five full days in the office. Deutsche Bank and Bank of Ireland have faced union resistance to increased office time, while Societe Generale’s remote work standardisation won’t fully take effect until late 2026.

The data suggests Europe is holding a more moderate line on return-to-office compared to the US, though the direction of travel is clearly towards more in-person time. For remote workers and employers alike, the tension between CEO ambitions and worker preferences remains the defining feature of the post-pandemic workplace.