The Return to Office: Your Life. Your Work. Your Balance.

For years, remote work has been our norm. At Transport, Activity-Based Working (ABW) was part of our culture long before COVID-19, but when the pandemic hit, remote work became the default—100% of the time. No commutes, flexible schedules, and the convenience of squeezing in a quick load of laundry between meetings became second nature.

Yesterday, the 50% return-to-office mandate was announced—a shift that felt both expected and disruptive. As I moved through meetings across the organisation, reactions varied. Some, like my team and me, accepted it as just another phase in our evolving work environment, adapting without resistance. Others? Let’s just say they weren’t exactly celebrating. And I get it—when you’ve built your routine around a certain way of working, being asked to change (again) can feel draining.

But here’s the reality: change isn’t optional—it’s constant. And while resistance is understandable, the real advantage comes from how we choose to respond.

Two Camps, One Mandate

The shift back to office life has divided teams into two distinct camps:

• The "Let’s Get On With It" Group: These are the colleagues who see the upside—catching up over coffee, spontaneous brainstorming, and a stronger team culture. They’re making the most of in-person days, recognising the benefits of real-time collaboration and human connection.
• The "Why Are We Doing This?" Group: They view this as a step backwards, frustrated by the loss of flexibility. For them, remote work was proof that productivity doesn’t require an office. They’re worried about lost time, longer days, and the disruption to their carefully crafted routines.

Both perspectives are valid. But here’s what I’ve learned—resistance takes energy. And while frustration is natural, long-term, it serves us better to find ways to adapt rather than remain stuck in the ‘why.’

Shifting Mindsets: Making the Best of It

I won’t sugarcoat it—this transition isn’t easy. But acceptance doesn’t mean defeat. It simply means recognising what we can control and focusing on that.

So, how do we shift our approach?

1. Reframe the Narrative – Instead of seeing this as a loss, try viewing it as an opportunity. In-person workdays can be used for creative collaboration, mentoring, and relationship-building—things that don’t translate as well over video calls.
2. Work Smarter, Not Harder – Plan deep-focus tasks for remote days and save meetings, problem-solving, and team discussions for office days. Make it work for you, not against you.
3. Find the Silver Linings – Boundaries between work and home blurred during remote work. The office reintroduces a natural separation—something many of us didn’t realise we missed. Ladies, think of all those bags you can now show off and the heels you can wear!
4. Create a Commute Routine – The time spent commuting doesn’t have to be a waste. Podcasts, books, music—use it as transition time instead of an inconvenience.

The Unsung Hero: Transport and Work-Life Balance

(Pun totally intended)

For those who rely on public transport, the commute is not just about getting to work—it’s part of the daily routine. Unlike driving, public transport allows time to read, listen to podcasts, catch up on emails, or simply switch off before and after work.

For those driving to work, a simple way to incorporate movement is to park a kilometre away and walk the rest of the way. This not only adds fresh air and exercise to your day but also creates valuable thinking time—a quiet moment to clear your mind, reflect, or simply enjoy a break before stepping into or out of work mode.

If you’re taking public transport and want to incorporate fitness into your commute, try getting off a station or stop earlier and walking the final stretch. It’s an easy way to integrate movement into a busy schedule without needing extra time.

We've always adapted our lives around work—balancing school drop-offs, sports activities, and family commitments while managing our professional responsibilities. The difference now is that flexible schedules allow employees to make smarter commuting choices, including travelling during off-peak hours. This not only helps avoid congestion but also makes the journey quieter, smoother, and far less stressful.

Looking Forward: The Bigger Picture

Like it or not, the world of work is always evolving. Hybrid work is likely here to stay, but rigid expectations on either end (fully remote or fully in-office) are never sustainable. The most successful professionals aren’t the ones who resist change; they’re the ones who learn to navigate it.

This 50% return might feel frustrating now, but over time, it becomes the new normal. And in the grand scheme of things, isn’t that how most change works? We push back, we adapt, and then—before we know it—it’s just life as usual.

So, the real question isn’t, “Why do we have to do this?” It’s “How do we make it work for us?”

Because at the end of the day, our mindset shapes the experience far more than the mandate itself.