Employees are hungry for stability and connection at work
The workplace has entered a new era. Expectations about when — and how often — people come into the office have shifted, AI has gone from an experiment to an everyday tool, and employees are navigating a landscape that’s changing faster than most organizations can track.
On the surface, workers seem to be keeping pace: 81% say they’re happy with their current work-life balance. But look closer, and a tension emerges. Employees want more stability and control — over where they work, how they spend their time, and what their days on-site look like.
In our 2026 report, based on ezCater’s original research survey of more than 1,000 full-time U.S. workers, we look at what people want from their workday, and how organizations can drive productivity without burning people out. We examine how AI is reshaping productivity, why human connection remains at the center of thriving workplaces, and how leaders can use office design and food to give employees a genuine reason to work on-site.
Key findings at a glance:
✓ Hybrid is how employees want to work:
Nearly 6 in 10 workers (59%) say a hybrid setup is their ideal work model.
✓ Perks, not pressure, bring people on-site:
Among hybrid and remote workers, 80% say there are perks that would incentivize them to work on-site more often.
✓ AI is making work faster — not calmer:
63% of workers have recently used AI to streamline work tasks, but only 39% say their company provides AI training for their role.
✓ Workers see a clear link between “always on” and burnout:
74% agree that being productive all the time leads to burnout, and 52% feel pressured to be “on” and responsive throughout the workday.
✓ Connection is a performance and retention booster:
79% agree that having friends at work helps drive better results for the company.
✓ Food is a high-impact driver of productivity, retention, and connection:
67% of workers say a daily or weekly employer-provided meal would make them more productive at work.
Employees want flexibility — and a good reason to work in person
When workers picture their ideal workweek, it’s hybrid. 59% of workers say a hybrid setup is their preferred way to work, with models that offer employee choice leading the way. The most popular choice is hybrid-optional (37%), where employees have the flexibility to decide their in-office days.
Year over year, preference for fully on-site work has dropped 45% since 2025, while fully remote preference has risen 37%.
RTO without perks is a risky move
As companies bring formerly remote employees back on-site, perks and incentives are often missing — and it’s putting retention on the line. 76% of previously remote workers say they either expect a new perk or would welcome one when their work model changes. Yet, nearly half (47%) of workers who transitioned from remote to hybrid or fully on-site say they didn’t receive any new perks when on-site requirements were introduced.
That gap between expectation and reality doesn’t just hurt morale — it shows up in retention risk. When remote workers are required on-site without any incentive, they’re 27% more likely to actively look for a new job compared to those who received a perk when their work model changed.
All signs point to an on-site future
Even employees who aren’t fully on-site yet can feel where things are heading. 26% of hybrid and remote workers say they expect their company will eventually shift to a fully on-site model. For many, return-to-office policies don’t feel temporary — they feel like the start of a more permanent change.
Perks, not pressure, are what bring people into the workplace
As companies increase on-site expectations, employees are clear about what would actually make the commute feel worthwhile. 80% of hybrid and remote workers say there are certain perks that would incentivize them to work on-site more often — and three themes rise to the top.
For the entire report, click here.
