Your boss has been putting pressure on you to come back to the office five days a week.

But you’re there a few times a week, and you’re exceeding all of the KPIs and OKRs your job demands. Your home life is great—you’re not commuting as much, and you’re able to be present with your family.

So, if you’re performing well at your job right now, then why is there pressure to be in the office every weekday?

Your boss surveys the job market, which is still wild and uncertain, and says, hey, this is the best place for you to be. Your options are limited, so why not just come on in?

In other words, your boss is subtly saying: look, if you aren’t in five days a week, we may have to let you go. We’re your only option out there, so grin and bear it.

But, do you really have to be there? Is the job you’re in really your only option? Have you been thinking lately, I have this crazy dream—is now the time to chase it?

Of course you have other options. The idea of having one job for your lifetime continues to slip away. And as scary as the job market is, companies are always looking for people like you, with fantastic skills that are more transferable than you might realize.

The Truth About "Job Security"

Your boss wants you to believe you need your job more than it needs you. But job security is more than hanging onto your current position—it’s about knowing you have choices. And you do. Even in a crazy, scary job market, even if you’re worried, you are never as trapped as someone else would like you to believe.

The workplace is changing. Businesses need adaptable people who can think critically, communicate effectively, and bring fresh ideas. Your experience, your problem-solving ability, and your relationships in your industry all have value that extends beyond your current role. If your employer is making it seem like your options are limited, that’s not a reflection of reality—it’s a tactic. The real power lies in what you choose to do next.

Your Career, Your Rules

If returning to the office full-time doesn’t work for you, and you know you’re delivering results remotely, then it’s worth exploring what’s next. Ask yourself:

• What do I want my work life to look like?

• How do I want my job to fit into my life, not the other way around?

• If I left today, where else could my skills take me?

There are small, meaningful steps you can take now—update your resume, have a few coffee chats, browse job postings without pressure. The more you remind yourself that options exist, the less power your employer has over your decision-making.

It’s also worth looking into how your current network can help you. Who are your former colleagues who’ve taken a leap you’re considering? What companies are currently hiring in your field? What industries need your skill set? These are questions worth considering, not just to entertain the idea of change, but to ground yourself in the reality that there are paths beyond your current job.

The Market May Be Uncertain, But You Are Not

Yes, the job market is in flux, and so is the way companies operate. Remote work isn’t disappearing. Neither is contract work, freelancing, or roles that prioritize flexibility. Organizations are actively seeking people who can navigate uncertainty, take initiative, and contribute meaningfully. And do you know who that describes? You.

Here’s what I want you to know: when you see yourself as somebody who has options, you begin to act differently. You negotiate with more confidence. You engage with your work differently—because you know you’re there by choice, not by necessity. You create opportunities instead of waiting for them to appear.

So, no—you don’t have to be in the office five days a week just because your boss says so. What you do have to do is know your worth, recognize your options, and make choices that serve you—not just the company’s bottom line.

This career moment you’re finding yourself in isn’t about fear—it’s about leverage. It’s about seeing yourself as the valuable professional you are and making sure that your work, and your career, line up with what matters to you most.