More Welsh businesses call staff back to the office but results vary widely by sector
More Welsh businesses call staff back to the office but results vary widely by sector
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A growing number of UK firms are pushing employees back to the workplace full time, with new figures revealing that 41% of businesses have increased on-site working requirements over the past year.
The figures, published today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), show that nearly half (48%) of businesses expect all working days to be on-site within the next 12 months. This marks a sharp rise in attitudes compared to 2023, when just 27% predicted a full return to in-person work over the next five years.
The study, which surveyed 583 businesses between 24 April and 14 May, highlights stark differences between sectors. Manufacturers (62%) and consumer-facing firms (61%) are most likely to expect staff on-site full-time. In contrast, only 27% of business-to-business (B2B) companies say they’ll require all shifts to be in person in the coming year.
The shift back to traditional working patterns hasn’t been without tension. While two-thirds (67%) of companies with mandatory on-site working say recruitment and retention remain unaffected, 9% have lost employees due to the policy.
Views also remain mixed on the productivity impacts of hybrid or remote working. Nearly half of manufacturers (49%) say it decreases productivity, compared to just 9% who say it improves output. By contrast, 25% of B2B firms believe remote or hybrid models actually boost performance, suggesting ongoing divergence in how different sectors value workplace flexibility.
Jane Gratton, Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, acknowledged the complexity of the evolving workplace landscape.
“We’re seeing a clear shift towards more firms requiring full on-site working, but it’s by no means a uniform picture,” she said.
“The trend is being led by manufacturers and consumer-facing businesses, while around two thirds of B2B service firms continue to operate hybrid models.
“Hybrid working has become a fixture of modern working life since the pandemic and is valued by employers and their workforce. But it does not suit everyone and, for some firms, a full onsite model may be the best solution for the business.
“With the cost of doing business continuing to escalate, firms are looking to boost productivity. Hybrid working can help firms attract and retain a skilled and engaged workforce. However, some employers are identifying significant benefits of bringing all staff together again onsite.”
“How and where people work is likely to continue to evolve in the years ahead. A flexible working approach makes good business sense but, to drive economic growth, managers also need the flexibility to do what’s right for their business.”
The BCC’s research comes amid wider national and global debates about the future of work, particularly as employers grapple with rising costs, productivity concerns, and competition for skilled talent. For many firms, the right solution may not be a binary choice between home and office, but a flexible model that adapts to business needs and keeps employees engaged.
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