A recent survey reveals a significant divide between UK professionals and employers regarding office attendance.
- 53% of professionals would search for a new job if required to increase office days, opposing 27% of employers wanting more in-office work.
- Despite predictions of a return to full office work by 2026, hybrid arrangements remain highly valued.
- Leaders face challenges as employees resist abandoning flexible schedules strengthened during the pandemic.
- Efforts to encourage office attendance include cost subsidies and enhanced in-office experiences.
A recent poll conducted among 2,000 UK professionals and employers has highlighted a crucial divide regarding workplace preferences. The data shows that 53% of professionals would consider finding new employment should they be obligated to work more days in-office. In contrast, only 27% of employers desire an increase in their employees’ physical presence at the workplace. This disparity underscores the ongoing shift in workplace dynamics catalysed by the pandemic.
Hybrid working is ranked among the top three most desired benefits across various professional sectors according to the Robert Walters 2024 salary survey. A survey by KPMG adds that 63% of UK CEOs anticipate a full return to office work by 2026, yet there appears to be resistance from the workforce to this potential transition.
Chris Eldridge, CEO of Robert Walters UK, asserts that the pandemic has indelibly changed work habits, making hybrid work a standard practice in many companies. Eldridge notes, “The pandemic not only opened the door to hybrid-working but made it a mainstay in many companies. It also proved that there just isn’t a one-size-fits-all option when it comes to ways of working and keeping productivity levels up across a workforce.” He warns that forcing a return to full office work could encounter substantial pushback as employees have grown accustomed to the flexibility they have enjoyed over the past few years.
While over a quarter of employers express a desire for increased office attendance, a significant 73% have no plans for a full return-to-office policy, even if it would not affect employee retention. Eldridge comments on the necessity of creating office environments that foster a sense of community and productivity, advising leaders, “There is a balance to strike with flexible working. If more days in office are what companies want – the onus is on senior leadership teams to make the office the heart of their work community and inform professionals of what can be gained by returning.”
Professionals cite several reasons for their reluctance to return to the office. The primary deterrent, identified by 46% of respondents, is the cost associated with commuting and other expenses. Furthermore, 28% are concerned about the disruption to their work-life balance, while 16% are deterred by long commutes, and 10% cite workplace distractions as a hindrance to productivity.
Despite these challenges, there are undeniable benefits to working in an office setting. Over a third of respondents noted that office work helped maintain their weekly routines. Furthermore, professionals appreciate opportunities for in-person collaboration, with 26% valuing brainstorming sessions and 24% finding in-person meetings beneficial. Additional facetime with senior leaders, mentioned by 14% of respondents, is another advantage that can facilitate career progression and skill development.
Chris Eldridge offers several strategies to encourage professionals back to the office. These include subsidising travel costs, providing meals, enhancing mentorship and training programmes, and fostering collaborative cultures through interactive sessions with senior figures. Eldridge emphasises the importance of upskilling opportunities and creating a vibrant work community to attract professionals back to physical workspaces.
The ongoing evolution of work preferences highlights the need for a balanced approach to hybrid working models that accommodate employee expectations and business objectives.
