37% of us want a raise to commute again

Last week I talked about The Great Salary Squeeze — how a 1–3% rise doesn’t exactly set your wallet on fire.

So, if employers can’t (or won’t) pay more, what’s their next move?

Asking us to spend more time back in the office.

Here’s the catch:

According to the 2025 Employment and Salary Report from people2people, Frog Recruitment and Edge Recruitment, employees’ ideal is 1–2 days a week in the office.

Employers? They’re leaning toward 2–3 days or more.

And if you want people back full-time?

Well, 37% of employees say they’d expect a 10–20% pay rise.

Another 32% say at least 5–10%.

Because let’s be honest — commuting costs time and money, and the “buzz” of being in the office isn’t exactly a bankable benefit.

But here’s where it gets interesting: it doesn’t have to be about more cash. Just like with salaries, the smart move is looking at the whole package.

If your boss wants more of you in the office, you could counter with:

• A better parking spot or transport allowance
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• More flexibility in start and finish times
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• Paid wellbeing days or extra annual leave
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• Training or professional development opportunities
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• Or even a simple home office budget so you’re set up for hybrid life

Because returning to the office is a cost to you — in hours, energy, and dollars — so it makes sense to balance the equation.

The bigger point?

Work negotiations in 2025 aren’t just about what’s on your payslip.

They’re about everything that touches your time, lifestyle, and growth.

And next week we’ll look at one of the boldest asks of all: what if your pay stayed the same… but your work week lost a whole day?

~Lisa

Your Q&A

Smile or Skip It?

Hi Lisa,

I would never put a photo on a general resume. However, I’m wondering about networking resumes for executives (infographic style). Is a photo okay for that, or should I leave it off?

Kyla

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Hi Kyla,

Normally, I’d say putting your photo on a resume is about as useful as putting your star sign — both can lead to instant bias.

But networking resumes? That’s a different beast.

These are the glossy, “let’s have coffee and talk shop” versions — not the “please feed me to the Applicant Tracking System” ones.

And in that context, a photo is absolutely fine.

Optional, yes. Necessary, no.

But it can help people connect your face to your name, especially if you’re floating around conferences, LinkedIn, or industry events where the main goal is recognition, not robotic keyword scanning.

So if you’ve got a professional shot where you don’t look like you’re trying to sell real estate or audition for The Bachelor, go for it.

If not? Skip it.

No one ever lost a networking opportunity because their networking resume didn’t come with a headshot.

~Lisa​