Summary:
London has the second-lowest office attendance among six cities surveyed, with full-time staff spending an average of just 2.7 days a week on site.
Travel costs are a key factor driving London's lower office attendance, with over 40% of workers citing savings on their commute as a reason for working from home.
The Centre for Cities suggests employers should subsidize commutes, similar to Paris, to encourage more Londoners to return to the office.
While some employers fear losing staff by mandating more office days, the think-tank argues this fear may be overblown, with less than 10% of workers saying they'd leave due to stricter office policies.
The debate continues regarding the impact of hybrid work on productivity, with some arguing for the benefits of face-to-face collaboration while others suggest no significant impact either way.
London's Office Return: Slower Than Other Global Cities
New research suggests Londoners are taking their time returning to the office, lagging behind workers in New York and Paris. According to the Centre for Cities think-tank, central London has the second-lowest office attendance among six cities surveyed, with full-time staff spending an average of just 2.7 days a week on site. This compares to 3.1 days in New York and a leading 3.5 days in Paris.
Why the Difference?
The biggest factor driving the difference is travel costs. Over 40% of London workers cite saving on their commute as a key reason for working from home. This trend is particularly pronounced among older workers living in the Home Counties, while younger workers living closer to the city center tend to be in the office more regularly.
Subsidized Transport: A Potential Solution?
The Centre for Cities suggests that employers should consider redirecting funds allocated for office refurbishments and perks towards subsidizing commutes, similar to the legal obligation for employers in Paris. This could encourage more London workers to return to the office.
Should Employers Mandate Office Attendance?
While some employers are hesitant to mandate more office days for fear of losing staff, the think-tank argues that this fear might be overblown. Less than 10% of London workers said they would seek another job if their employer required them to be in the office more often. However, nearly 40% of employers expressed concern about losing staff due to stricter office mandates.
The Debate Over Productivity
The think-tank highlights the potential benefits of having high-skilled workers clustered together in offices for enhanced collaboration and idea exchange. However, other economists argue there's no clear evidence that hybrid working arrangements significantly impact productivity, either positively or negatively. Professor Nick Bloom of Stanford University suggests that hybrid work arrangements can actually improve staff retention without compromising performance.
Ultimately, the future of office attendance in London remains uncertain. While some employers are exploring ways to incentivize a return to the office, others are embracing the flexibility of hybrid work arrangements.
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