A recent survey highlights a significant discrepancy between UK chief executives and their stance on office attendance. Despite a nationwide push to bring employees back to their desks, only 7% of bosses actually work full-time in the office.
A study conducted by workspace provider IWG has revealed that a small fraction are spending five days a week in a central office. Interestingly, a quarter of these leaders consider a full-time return to the office as a top priority.
This discrepancy has raised concerns of potential hypocrisy, as staff members compelled to return may see their leaders’ actions as contradictory. The pressure to increase office attendance has led some companies to closely monitor employee presence, including tracking swipe-card data.
Prominent figures such as Sir Jim Ratcliffe, billionaire industrialist and co-owner of Manchester United, have been vocal about their stance. 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 expressed support for Ratcliffe’s position on banning Working from home.
The push for office returns has also gained traction among senior politicians. Last year, Jeremy Hunt, the former chancellor, warned that British businesses could face a creativity crisis unless office work becomes the norm again. The Labour Party is expected to continue this agenda, especially for civil servants. Jonathan Ashworth, now the chief executive of think tank Labour Together, expressed before the general election that Labour intends for civil servants to spend most of their time in the office, deeming it “sensible” for them to be at their desks.
Private sector leaders are increasingly frustrated with their inability to enforce office attendance, citing declines in productivity and team culture. Online forums and social media, including TikTok, reveal various employee tactics to circumvent office attendance requirements, such as “coffee badging,” where employees scan in briefly before heading back home.
Despite these challenges, the IWG survey found that two-thirds of respondents believe they would lose talented employees if they enforced a strict office attendance policy. Additionally, three-quarters of business leaders reported improved employee engagement and team collaboration due to flexible working arrangements.
