A new report from the Centre for Cities reveals that workers in central London are spending more than half of their working week in the office.
Survey data shows that by June 2024, the average full-time central London worker is in the office 2.7 days per week, up from 2.2 days in April 2023. While this marks an improvement, London still trails behind other major cities such as Paris, New York, Singapore, and Sydney.
The report, conducted in partnership with Savanta and Focaldata, surveyed employers and employees across six cities on four continents, comparing the return to office work in these regions. It suggests that London’s recovery in office attendance is progressing, but there is room for more growth to match the levels seen in cities like Paris, where workers are in the office 3.5 days per week, and New York at 3.1 days.
Global Comparisons: London Lags Behind
London’s progress in returning to the office is evident, but it remains slower than that of its global peers. According to the survey, employers in London tend to have lower office attendance mandates compared to other cities. The average London employer mandates 3.1 days in the office, compared to 4.0 days in Sydney, 3.6 in Singapore, and 3.4 in New York.
The data highlights that in June 2024, only 7% of London’s office workers were not required to attend the office at all, a sharp decline from 25% in April 2023. This shift indicates a growing trend among employers to bring workers back into office spaces more regularly.
The study suggests that many employees would be open to increased office mandates, with 95% of workers in London and other cities acknowledging the benefits of face-to-face interaction. Only 9% of London workers said they would consider seeking new employment if their office attendance mandate increased, indicating a general acceptance of office-based work.
Younger Workers Leading the Return to Office
One notable trend in London is that younger employees, particularly those aged 18-24, are spending more time in the office than their older colleagues. This contrasts with patterns seen in other cities surveyed, where older workers tend to be in the office more frequently.
Survey data shows that younger workers in London are more likely to report that they work better in the office, with 43% of respondents in this age group expressing a preference for in-person work. This trend underscores the importance of the office environment for younger employees, particularly in terms of gaining experience, networking, and benefiting from mentorship.
Andrew Carter, Chief Executive of Centre for Cities, highlighted the importance of office-based work for younger employees, stating: “There’s no substitute for the benefits gained thanks to face-to-face interaction, particularly for younger workers. Having access to the wide variety of activities and experiences that offices in city centres offer is crucial for them, and the businesses they work for, to be successful.”
Benefits of Face-to-Face Interaction
The report emphasises the benefits that come from increased face-to-face interaction in the workplace. This is particularly relevant for younger employees, who gain valuable experience from in-person work that is difficult to replicate in a remote or hybrid setting. The office provides opportunities for collaboration, creativity, and mentoring, which can enhance professional development and improve business outcomes.
The report also points out that London’s employers and policymakers have the opportunity to push for a more robust return to the office. Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman and Political Leader of the City of London Corporation, noted the positive trend in office attendance and expressed his support for efforts to encourage more workers back to the office.
“This is an insightful report from the Centre for Cities, and we are ready to support local businesses and central government bring workers back to the office. The continued year-on-year rise in office attendance shows that our Destination City programme, the City Corporation’s growth strategy for the Square Mile, is having real impact,” Hayward stated.
The Future of Work in London
While central London’s office return has improved in 2024, the city still has room for growth compared to its global competitors. The Centre for Cities report suggests that London’s assets, including its public transport, large labour markets, and a diverse business environment, put the city in a strong position to encourage more office-based work.
However, to fully capitalise on these assets, London’s employers and policymakers must continue to promote the benefits of returning to the office. This will not only improve productivity and innovation but will also support younger employees who rely on in-person work for career development.
As the return to office work continues, the challenge for London will be aligning its office attendance with other leading global cities, ensuring that it remains competitive and a key player on the world stage.
