Young Londoners are driving the movement back to office work, reversing the trend of older employees favouring remote working. This demographic shift is contributing to the UK’s slower office attendance compared to global rivals. The effects on productivity and economic outcomes are being closely examined.
- The study covering cities like London, Paris, and New York shows London’s office attendance is notably low, ranking just above Toronto.
- Gen Z, particularly those in London, exhibit higher office attendance compared to their older counterparts, driven by home space and privacy constraints.
- Despite acknowledged benefits of office work, such as improved collaboration, attendance remains below pre-pandemic levels, with the UK government advocating for flexible working rights.
- The ongoing shift in work patterns highlights the importance of face-to-face interactions, especially for younger workers, and posits potential economic advantages for enhanced office attendance.
The survey compared work habits in several major cities, including London, Paris, New York, Sydney, Singapore, and Toronto. Results showed London had the second-lowest rate of office attendance, ahead of only Toronto. In contrast, Paris boasted the highest attendance.
Younger workers, particularly those aged 18 to 24, are leading the return to offices in London, attending work 3.1 days a week. This is higher than older age groups, with those aged 35 to 44 attending just 2.5 days and those over 55 averaging 2.7 days.
The data suggests that younger workers prefer office environments due to challenges like space and privacy at home. Andrew Carter, Chief Executive of the Centre for Cities, noted, “The standard narrative is young workers are shirkers, but actually they are back in the office, while it’s the middle or more experienced workers who are less present.”
Even though 95% of surveyed workers recognise the benefits of being in the office, including improved collaboration and relationship building, overall attendance is yet to reach pre-pandemic levels.
The UK government is pushing for more flexible working arrangements, including discussions of a four-day working week. However, only 29% of workers aged 34 to 44 and those over 55 believe they are most productive in the office.
Carter highlighted how working environments vary: “The appeal of working at the kitchen table among others differs significantly from the luxury of a garden office or a purpose-built shed, which is more common among older workers.”
The importance of face-to-face interaction is particularly emphasised for younger employees. Carter stated, “Access to the diverse activities and experiences found in city centre offices is crucial for their success and that of the businesses they work for.”
Office attendance mandates have increased, with only 7% of workers having no office attendance requirements at all, a sharp decline from 25% over a year ago.
The trend towards increased office mandates appears poised to continue, with only a small percentage of workers willing to leave their job over stricter attendance requirements.
Suggestions to encourage office attendance include subsidising commuting costs, a strategy adopted by some firms in Paris. Additionally, proposals have been made for the government to revive Transport for London’s off-peak Friday fare trial to assist in this effort.
The potential collaboration between the government, the Mayor of London, and businesses could enhance office attendance, offering economic benefits. As Carter pointed out, London carries significant assets such as world-class public transport and deep labour markets, which could help maintain its vital economic role globally.
The emerging trend of younger Londoners leading the return to the office signifies a pivotal shift in work cultures, with potential economic benefits if support measures are enacted.
