Your company’s forcing you back to the office and you’re ready to quit. Here’s how to prep your finances first

Return-to-office mandates are back — and for some, commuting four or five times a week isn’t an option. Lily and her husband made the decision to leave Brooklyn after the birth of their first child. Their apartment was too cramped, but luckily her brother had a vacation home available for them in a town two hours north of New York. They closed the sale of their property in late summer 2024, and Lily’s work initially told her they were fine with her commuting to their Midtown office twice a week.

However, the situation took a turn in 2025. Management suddenly began emphasizing the value of in-person office attendance. Lily had a feeling that remote work, which had become common during the pandemic, wouldn’t last forever. As signs started pointing towards her needing to commute four hours a day, at least four days a week, into the office, she began to panic. The question arose – should Lily quit preemptively or try to negotiate?

As early as 2021, large companies, particularly in tech and banking, started asking employees to come into the office at least two days a week. In 2025, these calls have grown louder, with major employers like Microsoft, NBCUniversal, Paramount, and JPMorgan Chase all requiring employees to return to the office. Paramount and JPMorgan have even implemented mandates for employees to be in the office five days a week.

According to a report from Jones Lang LaSalle, 54% of Fortune 100 employees are now required to be in the office five days a week, a significant increase from just 5% in 2022. The trend is expected to continue rising, even among smaller companies. One survey of 849 managers found that 80% of companies are tightening return-to-office policies, with 30% planning to phase out remote work by the end of the year.

The federal government has also taken a stand on in-office work, with the White House ordering executive agencies to end remote work and bring employees back full-time, with limited exemptions. Follow-up guidance from the Office of Personnel Management and Office of Management and Budget outlined how agencies should implement the order.

Employers are pushing for a return to the office citing reasons such as team cohesion, faster problem-solving, and informal learning. JPMorgan, for example, stated in their return-to-work memo that being together greatly enhances mentoring, learning, brainstorming, and getting things done. It accelerates decision-making and offers valuable opportunities for spontaneous learning and creativity.

Research has shown that hybrid work has had no negative effects on performance and has even boosted job satisfaction and reduced quitting rates, especially among non-managers, women, and employees with long commutes.

If you find yourself in a situation similar to Lily’s, where moving to shorten your commute isn’t feasible, it may be time to start preparing for a potential return-to-office mandate. Saving three to six months of essential expenses while you still have a steady income is a good place to start. Adjusting your budget now, making small cuts that can compound into significant savings, and parking your cash in a high-yield account can help you stay on course to reach your financial goals.

Consider options like SoFi’s high-yield account, where you can earn up to 4.30% APY and enjoy no account, monthly, or overdraft fees. Additionally, you can get up to $300 when you sign up with SoFi and set up a direct deposit. Make sure to also compare Continuation of Health Coverage (COBRA) with an Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plan to ensure you don’t get stuck without coverage. Map out your enrollment windows in advance, as you typically have a limited period to elect COBRA or choose a Marketplace plan. Planning for a smooth transition when resigning from a job is crucial, especially when it comes to your health insurance coverage and potential tax credits. By estimating premiums and potential tax credits in advance, you can avoid scrambling to find new coverage after you leave your job.

One helpful tool for comparing health insurance policies is U65 Health Insurance. Regardless of any pre-existing conditions, this platform allows you to quickly compare rates and features of health insurance policies from reputable providers. Simply enter your ZIP code, age, and household income, and within five minutes, U65 will display quotes from providers near you. This can help you make an informed decision about your future health coverage.

Before resigning, it’s important to read your benefits documents and plan your exit with key dates in mind. Make sure any potential bonuses, equity vesting, or 401(k) matches are posted before you give notice. Additionally, review your paid time off policy to determine whether you should use your remaining days or if you will receive a payout upon leaving.

Consider asking HR about transition packages for resigning employees, as some companies offer support for a smooth knowledge handoff. Meeting with a qualified financial advisor can also be beneficial to ensure you are prepared to manage the transition effectively. Advisor.com is a platform that connects you with licensed financial professionals in your area who can provide personalized guidance on your financial situation.

It’s also important to plan as if you will not qualify for unemployment benefits, as voluntary resignations usually don’t count. Research your state’s rules ahead of time to ensure your savings goals and transition timeline are based on realistic assumptions. Cutting back on unnecessary expenses, such as forgotten monthly subscriptions, can also help you be more conservative with your spending.

Rocket Money is a platform that can help streamline expense tracking and categorization, providing a clear view of your finances all in one place. For a small fee, the app can even negotiate lower rates on your monthly bills, helping you save potentially hundreds annually.

Resigning from a job can be a stressful process, but with proper planning and preparation, you can ensure a smooth transition. By taking control of your finances and health coverage before you leave, you can make the process easier for yourself. Remember to use credible sources and seek professional advice when needed to make informed decisions about your future. The world of technology is constantly evolving, and with each passing day, new innovations are introduced that have the potential to revolutionize the way we live and work. One such innovation that has been gaining traction in recent years is the concept of augmented reality (AR).

AR is a technology that overlays digital information onto the physical world, allowing users to interact with virtual objects and environments as if they were actually there. This technology has found applications in a wide range of industries, from gaming and entertainment to healthcare and education.

One of the key advantages of AR is its ability to enhance the user experience by providing a more immersive and interactive environment. For example, in the world of gaming, AR can be used to create realistic and engaging games that blur the lines between the virtual and physical worlds. This can lead to a more engaging and enjoyable gaming experience for players.

In the field of healthcare, AR has the potential to revolutionize the way medical professionals diagnose and treat patients. By overlaying medical imaging onto a patient’s body, doctors can get a more accurate picture of what is happening inside the body, leading to more precise diagnoses and treatment plans. This can ultimately lead to better patient outcomes and improved quality of care.

In education, AR can be used to create interactive and engaging learning experiences for students. By overlaying digital information onto physical objects, students can learn about complex concepts in a more visual and hands-on way. This can lead to a deeper understanding of the subject matter and increased retention of information.

Overall, the potential applications of AR are vast and varied, and as the technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative uses of AR in the future. From gaming and entertainment to healthcare and education, AR has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with the world around us.