British workers remain among the most reluctant globally to return to their desks, a new survey by property agent JLL has revealed.
The study of 12,000 workers across 44 countries reveals that only workers in the Philippines are more reluctant than UK employees to go into the office.
This reluctance continues despite many companies implementing stricter return-to-office policies, creating tension between corporate expectations and employee desires for flexibility.
UK workers are currently spending two days a week in the office, about half as many as before the pandemic, the JLL survey found.
UK workers are currently spending two days a week in the office, about half as many as before the pandemic
GETTY
However, they would prefer to attend just 1.5 days weekly, highlighting the mismatch between reality and preference.
Filipino workers are the most office-shy globally, attending 1.4 days weekly while preferring less than one full day.
At the other end of the spectrum, Kuwait leads the return to office with staff working 4.2 days a week, more than their preferred 3.5 days.
In China, employees are attending 4.1 days - one day more than they would like.
MORE LIKE THIS:
- Free speech row as Home Office worker sacked for 'spreading hatred' after sharing post by Richard Tice
- Civil servants fume that three days in the office makes them LESS productive as chief refuses to bow down to MPs - 'Policy is about right'
- REVEALED: Shocking levels of 'Work from Home’ as post pandemic Britons shun the office
Only in Greece have companies and staff reached harmony, with workers both wanting and attending about 3.5 days weekly.
The push for office attendance is growing stronger, with almost 90 per cent of UK workers now subject to compulsory office attendance policies, according to Virgin Media O2's business movers index last month.
Major corporations are leading this trend. JPMorgan Chase and Amazon have ordered staff back five days a week.
From next month, advertising group WPP will require employees to attend at least four days weekly.
The push for office attendance is growing stronger, with almost 90 per cent of UK workers now subject to compulsory office attendance policies
GETTY
"The recent emphasis on stricter return-to-office policies means this balance is now being re-examined by many employers," said Sue Asprey Price, JLL's European head of work dynamics.
She noted that previously "we had achieved a reasonable equilibrium in the workplace - a balance between employer expectations and employee flexibility".
The JLL survey reveals a notable generational divide in office attendance patterns.
Workers under 24 are attending offices more frequently than their older colleagues, going in 3.1 days weekly on average. Other age groups show little difference, with most employees working from the office about 2.5 days per week.
"A significant generational divide has emerged," said Asprey Price.
"Lockdowns shaped a whole generation of younger workers who spent their later education and early working lives without the cultural, social and professional benefits that being with other people can bring."
She added: "We're now seeing a big reaction from that generation, with being in the office key to their experience of happy and fulfilling work."
