UK office attendance settles at highest level since pre-Covid times

Published: 09 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Office attendance across the UK has surged, reaching its highest point since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to recent research. Workers are returning in large numbers, with data showing office occupancy levels are no longer in decline but stabilising. Experts describe the trend as a sign that employees are adjusting to hybrid and flexible working norms while companies adapt to post-pandemic expectations.

Investment banks such as Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase have spearheaded the return-to-office movement, enforcing strict five-day mandates. While these policies have provoked frustration among staff, many organisations in sectors like law, finance, and accounting still allow hybrid schedules. Employees can typically work remotely for two days each week, balancing workplace presence with flexibility.

According to Remit Consulting’s ReTurn report, average UK office attendance has consistently exceeded 40% since January. The week ending 13 February recorded a peak of 44.2%, the highest figure since March 2020, when the first nationwide lockdown was enforced. Attendance slightly dipped to 42.2% during the half-term holiday, then rose again to 44.1% in the following week.

Office occupancy varied widely among the nine cities monitored by the consultancy. Bristol reached 69.2% in the week ending 27 February, Leeds 64.6%, Cardiff 63.8%, Edinburgh 53.7%, Manchester 50.7%, Birmingham 42.3%, London 41.5%, Newcastle upon Tyne 39.3%, and Glasgow 31.6%. These differences reflect the mix of private and public-sector employment, office culture, and local commuting patterns.

Lorna Landells, a partner at Remit and co-author of the report, explained: “Office attendance is no longer in freefall nor in recovery mode; it is settling. Employees are more open to being in the office, but only where it feels purposeful and workable.” She added that flexibility is now considered a baseline expectation, rather than a perk.

The study also highlights the evolving focus for occupiers, investors, and developers. “The question is no longer whether people will return to the office but what kind of office experience genuinely supports modern work,” Landells said. She noted that high-quality workplace design, clarity, and functionality are becoming increasingly critical in driving employee attendance.

Despite these trends, resistance to full-time office work remains strong. More than 2,000 of JPMorgan Chase’s 300,000-plus employees worldwide signed a petition opposing the bank’s five-day in-office mandate. The petition described the policy as “a great leap backward,” arguing it harms staff, customers, shareholders, and corporate reputation.

The petition claimed that rigid office requirements worsen traffic and pollution while disproportionately affecting women, caregivers, senior staff, and employees with disabilities. Many of these employees are top performers, whose participation in the workforce depends on hybrid arrangements. It also raised concerns about conflicting with JPMorgan’s diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments.

One employee emphasised the challenges of global collaboration: “My team is spread across two continents and three time zones. JPMC is a global company – why can’t that include my home office?” Another said: “Hybrid is working and employees love the happy medium.” These perspectives underline the ongoing tension between employer mandates and employee expectations.

Data from Remit Consulting shows that cities like Birmingham and Newcastle have maintained office attendance above 40% recently, while Leeds and Cardiff report over 60%. Bristol saw occupancy as high as 75.4% in the final week of January, reflecting strong corporate office demand. Glasgow, with a large public-sector workforce, has seen slower growth but recently exceeded 30% after years of lower attendance. The city faced stricter Covid restrictions, delaying the post-pandemic return to offices.

Pre-pandemic, national office occupancy ranged from 60% to 80%, accounting for absenteeism due to sickness, holidays, external meetings, and other operational factors. The current data indicates that while full pre-Covid levels are not fully restored, companies are increasingly committing to long-term office space.

Commercial property group CoStar reported 14 new office lettings over 100,000 sq ft in 2025, matching the highest figures since 2017 and double the number in 2024. Major tenants included JP Morgan and HSBC, each taking roughly 200,000 sq ft after downsizing during the pandemic’s peak. This trend suggests firms are recognising the value of physical office presence alongside hybrid arrangements.

Property consultancy Knight Frank highlighted that while hybrid-office patterns dominate, businesses are planning for peak occupancy days. Some accept off-peak inefficiencies to maximise team collaboration when most needed. A few firms have adopted targeted strategies to reduce waste, such as closing certain floors on Fridays, balancing operational efficiency with employee preferences.

Overall, the latest figures indicate that UK office attendance is stabilising at levels unseen since before the pandemic. Companies are adapting, employees are negotiating new expectations, and workplace design is becoming a strategic factor. While hybrid arrangements remain popular, the importance of purposeful office presence is clear, shaping a new era of post-pandemic work culture in the UK.

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