Workers: Yes, RTO makes sense. No, we’re not going to do it

Report uncovers widespread clock blocking, coffee badging

UK workers totally understand why bosses want to get them back into the office – but would still jump ship if they were forced to give up remote working.

Research by Owl Labs showed that "the UK workforce is bending the workplace rulebook" as they demand greater autonomy, and even four-day work weeks, just as bosses play ever harder ball to get them back in the office.

Over 90 percent of workers surveyed said they would "take action" if they lost the right to work remotely or hybrid, with flexibility "the main driver of career decisions and satisfaction at work."

A better work life balance was the key reason why employees looked for a new job, the researchers found, cited by half of workers. Better career opportunities and better compensation were the next biggest drivers, mentioned by 42 percent.

The research did show an increase in the number of workers "in-office," from 42 percent in 2024 to 51 percent. The number of hybrid workers slipped from 51 percent to 45 percent, while remote workers dropped from 7 percent to 4 percent.

When it came to hybrid workers, 40 percent had to show their face for three days a week, while 27 percent had to slog in for four days. However 34 percent would prefer three days in the office and 11 percent would prefer none.

Just under three-quarters of employers hadn't changed their policies on remote or hybrid working over the last year. But plenty of big names including Vodafone and Microsoft are pushing harder on getting workers back on site.

Research from Indeed, also released this week, showed that in new job listings, companies were increasing the amount of time they expected employees to be in the office.

"What we're seeing is employers using the softer labor market to push for more face-to-face time, whether that's to encourage collaboration, rebuild office culture, or simply because they feel they can," said Jack Kennedy, Senior economist at Indeed.

OWL's research suggested workers understand their employers' point of view. The top reason cited by workers for RTO drives was reinforcing company culture and cohesion (79 percent), followed by maintaining leadership oversight and visibility (78 percent), and finally, improving employee productivity and collaboration (77 percent).

Key expectations for workers include "connection to company's mission/purpose" (80 percent), an attractive office environment (78 percent), and office friendships/relationships (77 percent).

Nevertheless plenty of workers are subverting their workplace. A quarter have indulged in "work to rule" doing only what's in their job description. A fifth indulge in clock blocking and calendar blocking, filling out diary time to avoid meetings. And 17 percent are "task masking," or making an effort to appear busy when they're not. Other wheezes include hushed hybrid, quiet quitting, unbossing and quiet leave.

Almost three-quarters of employees saw the four day week as an important benefit, and would be prepared to forego 8 percent of their salary to clinch it.

Joe Ryle, campaign director of the 4 Day Week Foundation, told us earlier this year, "The four-day week is incredibly popular with workers because put simply more free time gives people the freedom to live happier, more fulfilling lives."

Well quite. ®