Let’s be honest — working from home in sweatpants and t-shirts has its own charm, but for many parents, the office life offers something even better: a break from the chaos, a space to think clearly, work without distractions and the simple joy of uninterrupted conversation with colleagues. It’s not just about desks and deadlines — it’s about rediscovering focus, regaining a sense of self beyond parenting, and enjoying the rare luxury of drinking a hot coffee while it’s still hot or without someone crying “mother or father” in the background.

While flexibility remains a cornerstone of modern work culture, it’s important to recognise that, for many working parents, a return to the office delivers equally vital benefits. Beyond the physical workspace, the office serves as a place where employees can re-engage with their professional identity, focus deeply, and establish healthy boundaries between work and personal life. 

According to a KPMG Working Parents Survey, in-office parents report higher satisfaction with career progression and improved work-life balance — factors that directly influence retention, engagement, and performance. The structured environment of the office reduces distractions, enhances productivity, and fosters organic collaboration, which remote settings often lack. “Flexibility, back-up childcare, mental health support and tailored career advancement opportunities are not just workplace perks; they are essential lifelines for working parents, ensuring they can thrive personally and professionally,” said Sandy Torchia, KPMG US vice chair of talent & culture, in the survey. 

Leaders, it’s time to shift the mindset — your office isn’t just a place to get things done; it can be a powerful tool for supporting your team’s well-being and building lasting engagement. For working moms and dads juggling a million responsibilities, returning to the office might actually be a surprising win. Here's why going back to the office can actually be a good move for working parents. 

Enhanced mental well-being & interaction

While flexibility is a key benefit of remote work, many parents are finding that the office offers something just as essential: a mental and emotional reset. Being back on-site provides a clearer sense of professional identity, sharper focus, and the opportunity to draw healthier boundaries between work and home. Just as importantly, it reintroduces spontaneous, meaningful interaction — those quick hallway chats or collaborative moments that simply can’t be recreated over Slack or Zoom. 

According to the Microsoft Work Trend Index, over 55% of working parents said they missed in-person interactions with teammates and believed it improved both their mood and collaboration. As leaders, it’s crucial to recognise that for working parents, the office is becoming more than a place to work — it’s a space that supports well-being, connection, and long-term professional engagement.

Reclaiming professional identity

For parents – especially mothers – the office environment provides a space where their professional identity is front and center, rather than constantly intertwined with caregiving and household chores. This separation helps many feel more confident, competent, and energised when in office.

Supporting this, the KPMG Working Parents Survey reveals that 84% of fully in-office parents feel more satisfied with their career progression, compared to just 65% of their fully remote peers — underscoring how visibility and structure in the office can drive meaningful career growth.

Boundaries promote better balance

While work-from-home setups often blur the lines between professional and personal lives, the office restores structured working hours, helping parents to focus more deeply at work and be more present at home after office.

A Rutgers University study revealed that working parents experienced a boost in productivity and job satisfaction when supported with clear routines and workplace structures — even post-pandemic. The return to office provided that much-needed boundary between work and life. 

Increased visibility means more opportunities

As leaders, we recognise that increased visibility in the office directly drives greater opportunities for our teams. When employees — especially working parents — are physically present, they stay top-of-mind for managers and decision-makers, benefiting from spontaneous collaboration, discussions, networking, and high-impact projects. 

A 2023 McKinsey report underscores this: those who spend more time in the office are 1.5 times more likely to receive stretch assignments and promotions. Facilitating these in-person connections is key to accelerating talent development and fostering career growth within organisations.

The commute as ‘me time’

Once viewed as a hassle, commuting has become a precious ‘me-time’ for many working parents, especially mothers — a rare chance to recharge with music, videos, podcasts, or simply uninterrupted reading or reflection. This transition time plays a crucial role in helping employees mentally shift between work and family responsibilities. 

Several working mothers in experience shared with a leading news website said that their daily commute offers a valuable mental reset that boosts focus and energy, ultimately supporting better work-life balance and sustained productivity.