A new study highlights the huge discrepancy between UK chief executives and their attitudes towards coming to the office. Despite national efforts to get employees back to the office, only 7% of bosses are working full-time in the office.
A study by IWG, a workspace provider, found that a small percentage of leaders spend five days a week in a central office. Interestingly, a quarter of these leaders see returning to the office full-time as a top priority.
The discrepancy has raised concerns about possible hypocrisy, as employees forced back to work may see their leaders’ actions as contradictory. The pressure to increase office attendance has prompted some companies to closely monitor employee attendance, including tracking pass data.
Prominent figures such as Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire industrialist and co-owner of Manchester United, have spoken out. Ratcliffe recently issued an ultimatum to the football club’s staff to return to the office full-time or find “alternative employment”. Lord Sugar has also voiced his support for Ratcliffe’s position on banning home working.
Calls for a return to the office have also gained momentum among senior politicians. Last year, former chancellor Jeremy Hunt warned that British businesses could face an innovation crisis unless office work became the norm again. Labour is likely to continue this agenda, particularly for civil servants. Jonathan Ashworth, the current chief executive of Working Together, said before the general election that Labour wanted civil servants to spend most of their time in the office, arguing that it was “sensible” for them to be in their offices.
Private sector leaders are increasingly frustrated with their inability to enforce office attendance, citing declining productivity and team culture. Online forums and social media, including TikTok, are revealing various employee tactics to circumvent office attendance requirements, such as the “coffee badge,” where employees are briefly scanned before heading home.
Despite these challenges, the IWG survey found that two-thirds of respondents believe they will lose talented employees if they impose a strict office attendance policy. Additionally, three-quarters of business leaders reported improved employee engagement and team collaboration due to flexible work arrangements.
