Workplace flexibility is increasingly being treated as a negotiated benefit rather than a guaranteed perk, according to a new workforce survey, a shift with clear implications for Ohio manufacturers’ recruitment and retention strategies. Just 7% of workers said they would quit immediately if faced with a nonnegotiable return-to-office requirement, down from 51% a year ago, and only 33% said they would look for another job rather than comply. Meanwhile, 74% of employees reported having the same or less bargaining power to demand flexibility, and nearly half expect stricter on-site attendance policies in the year ahead.

The findings reinforce that on-site work expectations are becoming more accepted across the labor market, particularly in industries such as manufacturing where many roles require physical presence. As flexibility becomes part of broader compensation and benefits discussions, manufacturers are weighing how scheduling, shift design and targeted flexibility can support workforce stability without compromising productivity or reliability. 1/13/2026