Antisocial Habit: The Rise of an Industry Driven by Fear of the Office

Returning to the office has been a real shock for many who became accustomed to working from home. This shift has fueled a boom in business etiquette courses across the United States.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work became the norm, and many employees have continued to work from home since. For some companies, remote work has even proven more cost-effective, as office maintenance expenses have decreased. However, there is now a noticeable trend of employees returning to the office. Yet, not all were prepared for this transition.

Working from home is highly convenient—there's no need to dress formally, spend hours in a crowded office, wait in cafeteria lines, or commute on crowded public transport. Many people grew accustomed to this "pajama" work routine, making the return to the office a significant source of stress. As a result, companies are increasingly having to train employees on how to readjust to office life.

Since late last year, the demand for business etiquette courses among employees of large American companies has skyrocketed. According to The Washington Post, some vocational training centers reported a 100% increase in requests for office etiquette courses compared to 2023. Experts say that companies are especially sending younger employees, who may have only worked remotely, to these courses so they can learn how to behave professionally in the workplace. What are the main challenges they face?

Many younger employees struggle with face-to-face communication. The formal setting of an office can cause anxiety and lead to awkward situations, as the younger generation is generally more accustomed to informal communication styles, such as those used in chats and social media.

Additionally, many younger employees prefer a more casual style of dress, which can create tension when interacting with older colleagues. "Different age groups are likely to have different expectations about business attire," explained a specialist interviewed by the newspaper. Business style experts note that younger employees often don't realize that certain clothing choices may come across as inappropriate in a formal workplace. For example, overly casual or revealing outfits might not align with the expectations of a professional environment.

Interestingly, some style elements initially favored by younger employees have started to gain popularity with older generations—for instance, pairing sneakers with classic suits.