Five years on from the first coronavirus lockdown , workers in the UK are tied with Spain as the second most reluctant to go into the office, a new poll suggests.Brits were beaten only by workers in the Philippines, according to a survey by property agents JLL, which shows there remains a “significant” gap in the return to office expectations of employers and their staff.Across the board, workers in the UK are spending just two days a week on average in the office.That is about half as many days as before the pandemic , but is still more than most Brits would like.On average UK workers want to be going into the office about 1.5 days per week, according to the survey of 12,000 workers in 44 countries.Meanwhile, Filipino workers are going in 1.4 days per week, on average, although most would rather do less than a full day’s work in the office.Kuwait is leading the way in the post-pandemic return to the office, with staff working from their company’s offices for 4.2 days a week, more than the 3.5 days they would like to be doingGreece is the only country where companies and their staff get the balance the same: workers want to be in the office about 3.5 days per week, which is roughly what they are doing.The findings also highlight age-related differences in office experiences.While the oldest group (55+) adapted best overall, they are more sensitive to physical conditions like temperature, noise, and air quality, particularly its impact on focused work.Younger workers (up to 24 years old) are in the office on average 3 days a week, tracking higher than all other age groups.The middle group (35-54) report the lowest satisfaction, citing similar environmental concerns, along with desires for improved technology, flexibility, and food options.However, despite being in the office the most, younger employees (up to 34) reported the lowest workplace wellbeing, ranking it as one of the lowest performing factors; this group prioritised work-life balance, flexibility, and healthy food options demonstrating the higher expectations they have of their employers when it comes to wellbeing.“Over the past few years we had achieved a reasonable equilibrium in the workplace — a balance between employer expectations and employee flexibility,” Sue Asprey Price, JLL’s European head of work dynamics, said.
“However, the recent emphasis on stricter return-to-office policies means this balance is now being re-examined by many employers.”Asprey Price said the findings show that a “significant generational divide has emerged”.She added: “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.”We’re now seeing a big reaction from that generation, with being in the office key to their experience of happy and fulfilling work.”Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News.Direct to your inbox every Friday morning.Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know….
