Fed-Up Young Workers Fear They Need Offices to Save Their Careers

Fears of stunted careers and struggles with loneliness are driving many back to their desks.

Photographer: Jason Alden/Bloomberg
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Managers hoping to lure employees into offices may find their youngest and newest staff are their strongest allies.

Young white-collar staff feel caught between a rock and a hard place — they value quality of life over old-fashioned 9-5 commuting, but are even more worried about seeing their careers stall unless they head back into an office. That’s encouraging many to be among the first to return to their desks.