Worried About Job Security, U.K. Tech Workers Embrace More In-Office Work

U.K. tech workers are increasingly favoring in-office time, with a notable trend towards in-office workdays from Monday to Wednesday.

New data shows how an increasing number of U.K. tech professionals are embracing in-office time — with a particular focus of working from the office earlier in the week, from Monday to Wednesday.

This trend, as revealed in Techspace’s 2024 Scaleup Culture Report, shows a growing preference for face-to-face collaboration in traditional office environments among tech professionals.

In fact, 93% of the survey’s respondents said they “agree that being surrounded by tech people is valuable.”

According to Techspace, “U.K. tech workers are opting for more days in the office each week. This year’s report indicates that the average employee prefers to come into the office three days per week (3.35 days, to be precise).”

The data, based on a survey of 2,000 tech employees, reveals 79% of respondents also now use flexible office spaces — an increase from the previous year.

This rise in flexible spaces is largely being attributed to more companies moving away from long-term lease agreements, opting more for more adaptable arrangements in the post-pandemic economy.

According to Techspace, “[T]he number of companies adopting hybrid working models has reduced by one-third, with many transitioning to full-time office-based roles.”

The report also analyzed the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on employment. Notably, 17% of the survey’s respondents who changed jobs within the past 18 months reported AI replacing roles within their organizations. This figure increased to over 26% in London.

It’s worth noting that this trend “predominantly affects larger companies with 250 or more employees,” revealing a need for businesses to balance technological advancements with AI safeguards.

The tech sector’s rise in in-person office work could influence other sectors to tighten their flexible work policies. The tech sector is also known for being influential in office trends and could inspire other sectors to adopt more flexible office spaces.