A recent survey shows that there is a significant discrepancy between top British executives and their views on office attendance. Despite a nationwide effort to get employees back to their desks, only 7% of bosses actually work in the office full-time.
A study by workplace provider IWG shows that a small proportion spend five days a week in a central office. Interestingly, a quarter of these leaders consider a full-time return to the office a top priority.
This discrepancy has raised concerns about possible hypocrisy, as staff members forced to return may view their leaders’ actions as contradictory. The push to increase office attendance has led some companies to closely monitor employee attendance, including tracking swipe card data.
Prominent figures such as Sir Jim Ratcliffe, billionaire industrialist and co-owner of Manchester United, have spoken out about their position. Ratcliffe recently issued an ultimatum to football club staff to return to the office full-time or find ‘alternative employment’. Lord Sugar has also expressed his support for Ratcliffe’s position on the ban on working from home.
The drive for efficiency in the office has also gained momentum among senior politicians. Last year, Jeremy Hunt, the former Chancellor, warned that British businesses could face a creativity crisis unless office work returns to the norm. The PvdA is expected to continue this agenda, especially for civil servants. Jonathan Ashworth, now the chief executive of the think tank Labor Together, said before the general election that Labor plans for civil servants to spend most of their time in the office, and believes it is “wise” for them to be at their desks.
Private sector leaders are increasingly frustrated by their inability to enforce office attendance, citing declines in productivity and team culture. Online forums and social media, including TikTok, are revealing various employee tactics to circumvent office attendance requirements, such as “coffee bathing,” where employees briefly scan before heading home.
Despite these challenges, the IWG survey found that two-thirds of respondents believe they would lose talented employees if they enforced strict office attendance policies. Additionally, three-quarters of business leaders reported improved employee engagement and team collaboration thanks to flexible work arrangements.