'Cubicles Are Dead,' Says Kevin O'Leary. Top Talent Moved Away And Isn't Coming Back. Forcing RTO Means 'You'll Only Hire The Bottom Quartile'

Investor and ‘Shark Tank’ TV personality Kevin O’Leary has a message for companies still clinging to the idea of mandatory in-office work: you’re scaring off your best people.

Flexibility Has Replaced The Cubicle

“Cubicles are dead,” O’Leary said in a recent post on X. “Top programmers, accountants, and operators moved away and they’re not returning. If you force people back into offices, you’ll only hire the bottom quartile.”

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In the video he posted, the entrepreneur and investor behind over 50 portfolio companies explained just how permanent this shift has become. “We thought 15% would not return. The actual number now is 40%,” he said, referencing his own businesses. “I think that’s true for the entire economy.”

O’Leary said roles in accounting, compliance, and logistics have particularly moved offsite. Workers in these positions relocated for better homes, lower costs, and more space,  and they aren’t coming back for a cubicle. The best programmers? Same story. “They work the way they want, they get paid a fortune, and they deliver on time or they don’t,” he said.

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His view aligns with the broader data. According to last year’s Owl Labs report on the state of hybrid work, 69% of managers believe hybrid or remote work has actually made their teams more productive. Meanwhile, 40% of workers said they would start job hunting if flexible work were taken away.

The report also found that most hybrid employees now go into the office three to four days per week, but that’s not their preference. 32% want to be in the office three days, 14% prefer four and just 6% all five days. No days in the office is the preferred option for 12% of hybrid workers. 

Working From Anywhere Isn't Just Popular, It's Productive

Owl Labs survey found that a full 80% of employees are already using or experimenting with AI to boost productivity. That tracks with tools like Rad AI, an emerging platform that helps companies create smarter, faster content using artificial intelligence. With more teams working asynchronously, platforms like this are becoming essential.

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O’Leary believes companies insisting on in-office work are selecting for the wrong traits. “You’re never going to get [top workers] back,” he said. “If you’re trying to say to people, ‘Oh, you’ve got to work in an office’ and that’s a talent you want to hire, you’ll just get the bottom quartile people that have no choice.”

Workers now expect flexibility by default. And many are even willing to take pay cuts to keep it.

For employers still hoping to rewind the clock to 2019, O’Leary has one final wish: “I want my competitors to hire those people, not me.”

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Image: Midjourney