Younger employees driving office return as older colleagues remain reluctant to turn backs on WFH 

Younger employees are more likely to embrace office working than their older colleagues, with three in ten (29%) employers admitting that under 30s are the least likely to have an issue with returning to the office. The new research by Epassi UK, the all-in-one benefits hub, as part of its Employee Benefits Report 2025, finds that a fifth (20%) of businesses say that employees under the age of 30 come into the office more frequently than required.

Hybrid working remains one of the most in-demand perks amongst employees – nearly nine in ten (86%) say it is what they value most about their job, as it makes them feel happier, and more productive. For example, three quarters (74%) of all employees say that when they work from home, they tend to do more work as they have no commuting time.

ONS figures show that 9.5 million people in the UK were hybrid working earlier this year. However, many employers – particularly major employers in the tech, financial and legal sector – are beginning to move away from mixed working styles and instead, are mandating returns to the office.

While nine in ten (87%) employers currently allow their employees to work from home, a quarter (27%) admit they have changed their policies within the last year, requiring staff to come into the office more.

Employees are feeling this shift – half (52%) of employees say their employer has changed their attitude to working from home policies in the last year, rising to six in ten (59%) younger employees. Half (51%) feel as though their employer favours those who come into the office more often.

As a result of policy changes, a fifth (20%) of businesses have already admitted that requiring workers to be in the office more has resulted in employees quitting. This sentiment is equally reflected by employees – seven in ten (70%) workers say they’d consider leaving their current job for one that offers hybrid working if their employer changed their current working from home policy.

Younger employees are more likely to embrace office working than their older colleagues, with three in ten (29%) employers admitting that under 30s are the least likely to have an issue with returning to the office. The new research by Epassi UK, the all-in-one benefits hub, as part of its Employee Benefits Report 2025, finds that a fifth (20%) of businesses say that employees under the age of 30 come into the office more frequently than required.

Hybrid working remains one of the most in-demand perks amongst employees – nearly nine in ten (86%) say it is what they value most about their job, as it makes them feel happier, and more productive. For example, three quarters (74%) of all employees say that when they work from home, they tend to do more work as they have no commuting time.

ONS figures show that 9.5 million people in the UK were hybrid working earlier this year. However, many employers – particularly major employers in the tech, financial and legal sector – are beginning to move away from mixed working styles and instead, are mandating returns to the office.

While nine in ten (87%) employers currently allow their employees to work from home, a quarter (27%) admit they have changed their policies within the last year, requiring staff to come into the office more.

Employees are feeling this shift – half (52%) of employees say their employer has changed their attitude to working from home policies in the last year, rising to six in ten (59%) younger employees. Half (51%) feel as though their employer favours those who come into the office more often.

As a result of policy changes, a fifth (20%) of businesses have already admitted that requiring workers to be in the office more has resulted in employees quitting. This sentiment is equally reflected by employees – seven in ten (70%) workers say they’d consider leaving their current job for one that offers hybrid working if their employer changed their current working from home policy.