Is 5 days in the office doable

Earlier this month, Natalie Kassen , alongside Nicholas Kendrew , appeared on CBC/Radio-Canada 's The Current with Matt Galloway to weigh in on one of the hottest workplace topics: the return to office.

Here are some key insights from that conversation:

• Flexibility is still king. Most professionals want hybrid work, but fully remote options are getting harder to find as stricter mandates spread.
• Money isn’t everything. Many candidates are willing to accept lower pay in exchange for flexibility and avoiding long commutes.
• Mentorship matters. Younger employees who trained fully remote during COVID often lack the informal “osmosis learning” that comes from being in an office.
• Broken promises backfire. Commuting in just to sit on Zoom calls frustrates employees. In-office time has to mean collaboration.
• Premium real estate is back. Employers pushing return-to-office are investing in high-quality buildings with gyms, food courts, and easy access to transit.
• The pendulum isn’t settled. Companies are realizing hot-desking and reduced space don’t cut it. A better in-office experience is key to retention.

To summarize: flexibility still drives decision-making, but employers who want people back in the office must make it worth the trip.

Listen to the full interview below👇

The Kassen Recruitment team traded our office chairs for the volleyball court at Heatwave Toronto, all in support of SickKids Foundation .

The day was buzzing with energy, teamwork, and plenty of spikes, all for a cause that hits close to home. We had the pleasure of playing alongside fantastic teams from Dream , BMO , Bosch Canada , The Globe and Mail , Armstrong Fluid Technology , LCBO , Terrapex , and more.

While the matches were competitive, the biggest win was coming together with so many organizations to make a difference for kids and families who need it most.

A heartfelt thank you to SickKids Foundation for hosting such an inspiring event. We can’t wait for the next Heatwave Challenge!

On another exciting note, our upcoming event is officially SOLD OUT! We’re thrilled by the overwhelming response and can’t wait to connect with so many professionals and leaders in the industry.

For those who managed to grab a spot, you’re in for an engaging evening of networking and discussion.

Event Highlights:

• Keynote: with Thyagi De La Nérolle from Global Wellbeing Council
• Special address: with Iona Frost from Dress for Success Toronto
• Panel Discussion: Who’s Getting Hired in 2025, moderated by Natalie Kassen with Branka Kopilovic, CPA, CMA (Senior Vice President, Real Assets at The Citco Group), Jessica Hansen (Partner and Director of Operations at EY Canada), and Jordan MacKinnon, CPA, MBA (Chief Financial Officer, The Stevens Company)
• Interactive Session: Apply insights to real career and hiring scenarios
• Networking: Connect with CFOs, finance executives, HR leaders, and peers across industries

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