RBC Employees Asked to Return to Office 4 Days a Week: What It Means for the Future of Work
In a time when many Canadians are still enjoying the comfort of working in sweatpants from home, a big shift is happening at one of Canada’s largest banks. The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has updated its hybrid work policy — and employees are being asked to return to the office four days a week. This RBC hybrid work policy marks a notable change in their work strategy.
This change has sparked real conversation online, especially around the hashtags #RBC, #BackToOffice, #HybridWork, and #4DayOfficeWeek. So what does this really mean for the people working at RBC — and could this signal a broader trend for other companies too?
Let’s break it down.
What’s Changing at RBC?
As of this spring, RBC is officially asking its employees to be physically present in the office four days a week. That leaves just one day to work remotely — a noticeable shift from earlier in the pandemic. This shift is part of the RBC hybrid work policy when many workers were fully remote or had more flexibility.
This new move impacts thousands of employees in RBC’s corporate offices across cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary.
While RBC hasn’t made it mandatory (yet), it has strongly “encouraged” staff to follow the new guideline. Leaders are expected to model the policy and support team culture by showing up at the office themselves.
Why Is RBC Doing This?
According to RBC CEO Dave McKay, working together in person leads to stronger teamwork, faster learning, and deeper innovation. In a statement shared with employees, McKay emphasized the importance of collaboration and culture — something he believes works best face-to-face. The RBC hybrid work policy is designed to support these goals.
“We’ve seen firsthand the benefits of working together. It strengthens our culture, our teams, and our results.” – Dave McKay, RBC CEO
The bank isn’t alone in this thinking. Other big players like Amazon, JP Morgan, and Google have also updated their office policies to bring workers back.
For more insight on this trend, check out our Work & Career section.
What Are Employees Saying?
Not everyone’s excited. On platforms like LinkedIn, Reddit, and X (formerly Twitter), employees and office workers have voiced mixed feelings.
Some are happy to return and reconnect with their colleagues. But others point out real concerns — longer commutes, childcare challenges, and loss of work-life balance.
One RBC employee posted on LinkedIn:
“I love seeing my team again, but I’m also losing 10+ hours a week to commuting. That’s a big shift from the life I’ve built working remotely.”
Others are worried this might be a slow return to the old 9-to-5 office grind — something many thought was left behind post-pandemic.
Could This Be the New Normal?
RBC’s decision might set a precedent for other Canadian employers, especially in finance and tech. While full-time office work is still rare, hybrid models with 3–4 days in-office, including RBC hybrid work policy, are becoming the new standard.
Here’s what The Conference Board of Canada has to say about it:
Hybrid work is here to stay – but flexibility matters
Whether this is the start of a wider movement or just a temporary experiment, it’s clear that the workplace is evolving fast. Employers are balancing productivity and collaboration with flexibility and employee wellness.
How Should Workers Prepare?
If you’re in a hybrid role — at RBC or anywhere else — here are some tips to ease the transition:
- Plan Commute Days Wisely: Choose quieter travel times and pack smart.
- Make Office Days Count: Use them for collaboration, team meetings, and networking.
- Speak Up About Needs: Talk to your manager about what’s working and what’s not.
- Stay Balanced: Keep self-care on the calendar, especially with less time at home.
Check out more helpful career tips in our guide:
How to Thrive in a Hybrid Work World
Final Thoughts
The shift at RBC is about more than just showing up at a desk. It’s about redefining what the modern workplace looks like in 2025 — not just in banking, but across industries.
Explore:
Whether you’re cheering for more in-person collaboration or holding onto your home office with both hands, one thing is certain: the future of work is still being written.
And at EveryAna, we’ll be here to cover every chapter.
