Majority of UK workers left with mixed emotions as employers expect them to return to the office

Many UK workers are feeling mixed emotions after recent findings show that as many as 69% of employers are expecting their staff to return to the office.

With regards to returning to the office during the pandemic, the LinkedIn research found that 30% of employees currently feel apprehensive, 22% are excited and 34% just want normality to return.

Of those who are expected to return to the office, 34% said that their employer wants them back in within the next three months, 16% before the end of the year and 15% are still waiting for a date to be confirmed.

Forty-four per cent said their employer wants them in the office 1-2 days a week and 36% 3-4 days a week.

Looking to the future, nearly 50% of employees said that the ideal situation for them would be hybrid working, splitting their time between the office and at home.

Janine Chamberlin, UK Country Manager at LinkedIn, commented, “People are naturally still concerned about Covid-19, and this coupled with the prospect of returning to offices is clearly creating anxiety for some. Others are looking forward to seeing their colleagues again and getting back to a sense of normality.

“What we’re seeing on LinkedIn is people craving flexibility and the option to decide for themselves where they work. It’s positive to see companies responding by enabling hybrid working which gives employees this freedom, and will be what people look for when considering new jobs.

“Hybrid working will also help open up jobs to people who may have previously been locked out of them due to location, disability or care-giving responsibilities. With a more flexible future inevitable, we’re on the cusp of helping to make work more balanced and inclusive.”

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