71% of UK workers would return to office more often for better workplace experiences, study reveals
Research reveals that 71% of UK workers would increase office attendance if workplaces delivered ideal experiences, fundamentally challenging the effectiveness of mandated return-to-office policies.
Voice of the Customer 2025: Responding to Structural Shifts from Spaces to Places, sponsored by DBSJ, Newmark and Yardi, surveyed 900 office workers nationwide in Q4 2024. The study reveals significant gaps between what employers think workers want and what actually drives office attendance.
“After years of crude generational assumptions, this research reveals workers aren’t avoiding offices because they prefer home; they’re avoiding poor office experiences,” explains Zoe Ellis-Moore, CEO and Founder of Spaces to Places.
The 60-70% Tipping Point
The research uncovers a crucial threshold: when 60-70% of team members are present, approximately 90% of workers find significant value in attending. This creates a positive loop where more people join in willingly, turning the office culture from something required into something people are drawn to.
Four Worker Types Identified
Rather than generational divides, the study identifies distinct worker personality types:
- Wellness Seekers (39%): These are those who currently attend the office least frequently but show highest potential for increased attendance with right conditions
- Maximisers (28%): These are people who already attend 4-5 days weekly, seeking efficiency and structured environments
- Innovators (23%): These are tech-savvy professionals valuing networking and advancement opportunities
- Fully Remote (10%): These are those committed to remote work regardless of office improvements
Reality Check on Amenities
Workers prioritise practical over trendy amenities. Top requirements include high-speed internet (47%), printing services (38%), and private offices (35%). The resurgence in demand for private offices signals clear rejection of open-plan collaboration concepts that dominated pre-pandemic design.
The Service Perception Problem
A striking disconnect exists between providers and users: 80% of office operators believe they deliver superior service, while only 20% of their workers agree. This gap appears to stem more from underlying service delivery challenges than from communication issues.
“The office must now compete with the comfort, control, and convenience of home working,” adds Ellis-Moore. “Workers won’t return simply because space is available; they’ll return when the office experience is genuinely superior to their alternatives.“
Long-term Implications
The research indicates that 66% of workers would accept longer-term office commitments if offered superior experiences, suggesting that quality workplace provision could solve both attendance and retention challenges simultaneously.
For employers struggling with return-to-office strategies, the message is clear: investment in the quality of office experience delivers better results than enforcement policies.
