Is remote working gone for good?
Are all companies going to start requiring employees back in the office now that the pandemic is an important but distant memory?
These are the kinds of questions on people’s lips as we continue into 2025 and wonder how the working world will evolve over the coming months.
Last week it was reported that WPP, a multinational ad company, has now ordered its workforce back to the office 4 days a week with two office-based Fridays per month as mandatory. Amazon, Google, Meta and Apple are amongst the other big names launching new ‘back to the office’ policies.
Spotify, on the other hand, released a powerful employer branding marketing campaign last year with the headline, ‘Our employees aren’t children. Spotify will continue working remotely.’. Microsoft, Yahoo and IBM are amongst the big names also backing the retention of models supporting remote work.
So, with even the world’s leading orgs divided, knowing what to do best for your business can be tricky. We’re here with some data, info and advice to help you out.
Some facts and figures
Below are some recent statistics to help you get the lay of the land where the current office-based versus remote work landscape is currently at:
- As of October 2024, 41% of UK workers engage in remote work at least part of the week, with 28% adopting a hybrid model and 13% working from home full-time.
- 85% of employees working remotely in the UK want a hybrid model, with 58% preferring it overall.
- Those aged 55+ lean toward full-time remote work, while those aged 16–24 tend to prefer full-time office roles, likely valuing mentorship and office-based learning.
- 80% of leaders find hybrid setups exhausting, citing the strain of switching between work modes and blurred boundaries.
- 78% of hybrid workers report a better work-life balance, while 47% shared an improvement in general wellbeing.
- 50% noted flexibility in terms of time management as one of the benefits of hybrid working, while 60% said it makes them feel less connected to their colleagues.
So, as you can see, even in the current landscape, feelings about remote and hybrid working are divided.
At the end of the day, it’s all about choosing what works for your business and its employees. To be able to do this, it’s important to understand the pros and cons.
The pros and cons of remote and hybrid working
Below are the upsides and downsides of hybrid and remote working – keep these in mind when deciding what model you’d like your business to operate under and also how you design your workspace.
Benefits of hybrid and remote working:
Flexibility
Employees can tailor their work hours to personal preferences, leading to better work-life balance. They can also choose different positions and postures throughout the day, supporting comfort, cognitive function and better physical health.
More talent
When businesses allow their staff to ‘work from anywhere’, hybrid or remote, it means they broaden their recruitment potential. Businesses that embrace these modes of work can pick talent from further and wider afield.
Also, allowing employees to work more flexibly and reap the personal rewards of working hybrid or remote means a business can attract and retain more talent. It can give the business a competitive edge when it comes to hiring.
Lower costs
Hybrid and remote work can offer cost-saving benefits for everyone involved. Employees can save on travel and other associated costs with coming to the office, while businesses can save on office space and utilities.
Not having every member of staff in the office at all times also means businesses can explore the potential of downsizing office space.
Higher productivity
Some people prefer to work from home because there are fewer distractions. Of course, others find they are able to focus better in the office, which is why catering for all working styles and personalities is so important.
No commute
Not only does not having to travel to work every day appeal to employees because it helps them save time and money and reduces stress, but it also helps the business cut down its carbon emissions.
The downsides of hybrid and remote work:
Isolation and lack of connection
Lack of in-person interaction can cause some employees to feel isolated and disconnected. This can affect mental health, collaboration and productivity.
Low sense of culture and community
Building relationships and company culture can be more difficult without face-to-face interaction. This lack of ‘social capital‘ can make it difficult to foster feelings of community and belonging.
Fragmented communication
Virtual communication, if not managed and facilitated effectively, can lead to misunderstandings and less effective collaboration.
Workplace tech and fit out resources
Reliable internet, workplace AV/technology and purpose-built work settings for connecting remote and resident workers are essential. This can be costly to provide if it’s not something already featured in the office fit out.
Poor work-life balance
Without a clear divide between work and home, employees may overwork or struggle to disconnect. This can lead to burnout, poor health and low motivation.
Reimagining your working environment to support modern modes of work? Get in touch with our experts to learn more about how we can take your project to the next level.
