How often should employees work in the office? New research from infinitSpace reveals a clear link between in-office attendance and employee well-being. According to a survey of 1,210 UK hybrid and fully office-based employees, those who worked in the office three or four days a week reported the highest levels of both physical and mental well-being.
The survey shows that 60% of employees attending the office three or four days weekly described their physical well-being as “great” or “good.” A similar proportion (61%) reported positive mental well-being. Comparatively, workers who spent only one or two days in the office had lower well-being scores, with just 50% rating their physical and mental health positively.
Well-being metrics dipped slightly for those in the office every day. Nearly 59% reported good physical well-being, while 57% noted good mental well-being.
“While attendance policies should remain flexible to meet diverse business and employee needs, it’s important that we don’t overlook the relationship between going to a workplace and one’s wellbeing. The research shows that opportunities for social interaction, a sense of community, and regular access to thoughtfully designed spaces can profoundly impact our overall wellbeing,” said Wybo Wijnbergen, CEO of infinitSpace.
Flexible workspaces outperform traditional offices
The study also compared employees working in flexible working spaces to those in traditional office environments. Employees in flexible spaces fared better, with 60% reporting good physical and mental well-being, compared to 56% and 55%, respectively, for those in conventional settings.
London workers anticipate full-time returns
While hybrid work remains popular, a separate study by London Heritage Quarter revealed that 40% of London-based office workers expect a return to full-time office attendance this year. However, cost concerns loom large. Travel and food expenses were cited as major challenges by 40% and 30% of respondents, respectively. Other concerns included the cost of leisure activities (25%) and potential strikes (22%).
The findings come amid growing pressure from some organizations to increase office attendance. Proponents argue that working from home may harm productivity.
The data suggests that three or four in-office days per week may be the ideal employee balance, providing both flexibility and well-being benefits. Organizations seeking to boost engagement and productivity should focus on creating welcoming, community-focused workplaces while addressing cost concerns for workers navigating the new normal.