CEOs hell-bent on getting workers back to the office say being physically together boosts connectivity. Turns out that’s not the case.

Only one in six people feels strongly connected at work, with on-site employees the least connected of all, according to a study released on Tuesday by consulting firm Accenture. About 22% of fully remote workers say they feel “not connected”, while the share for those in the office is nearly double.

The report bucks some of the central logic executives cite to encourage their employees to return to the office. While they say that boosts creativity and innovation, commuting is still expensive and can be fraught with challenges, especially for working parents struggling to find reliable and affordable child care...