Barry Toren

It’s why tech firms have held back on some hiring. It’s why supply-chain leaders have waited to commit to new partners. And according to a survey by the Federal Reserve, the uncertainty around the US elections is why nearly one-third of financial decision-makers have postponed, scaled back, delayed, or canceled their firm’s investing plans. But once the ballots are counted—in a week, or maybe a little longer—that excuse may no longer apply.

For years, the tech worker would receive one to two messages each week from recruiters looking to fill roles. This season, she’s receiving one to two per day, and she’s taking them seriously, despite having just started a new job over the summer. At a time when much of the job market remains tight, one group of workers appears headed for a heyday in opportunities. According to a new report, a remarkable 44% of tech employees plan to take a new job in the next 12 months.

Stop at the office for 15 minutes to have coffee and leave. Have a friendly coworker swipe your badge. Don’t show up at all and dare the boss to say something. With the pandemic years behind them, corporate leaders continue to be aggressive about establishing return-to-office policies, occasionally even making headlines by insisting that everyone return five days a week. But “trying” and “enforcing” are turning out to be two very different things.