A growing number of U.K. professionals are building their routines around flexibility, autonomy, and technology, according to Owl Labs’ new UK 2025 State of Hybrid Work report.
Most companies have kept their hybrid or remote policies unchanged over the past year. 72% of employees said their employer has not updated its stance, and many now see hybrid work as a long-term norm.
For employees, flexibility remains a priority, with 44% saying they would start looking for a new job if remote or hybrid options were removed.
Office Attendance Becomes More Predictable
As hybrid policies settle in, office attendance has become more consistent. This year, 40% of hybrid workers go into the office three days a week, while 27% go in four.
Some visits serve a symbolic purpose. A growing number of employees participate in “coffee badging,” where they spend a few hours in the office to stay visible before continuing their workday elsewhere.
This behavior has become common, with 44% of hybrid workers reporting they do it.
Workdays Are More Fluid and Personalized
The traditional 9-to-5 is becoming less rigid. Over half of workers now schedule personal appointments during standard working hours, and many are open to new ways of structuring their time. 67% are interested in “microshifting,” a flexible model that allows people to work in shorter blocks based on energy, task type, or personal responsibilities.
Side Hustles and Polyworking Gain Ground
Hybrid work has created space for new income streams. Nearly one in three workers now report having a second job or side project. Among hybrid employees, this rises to 3%.
Managers are especially likely to polywork, with 33% reporting an additional job, compared to 14% of individual contributors. The most common reason is financial, with 40% citing a need to cover additional expenses.
Managers Embrace the Benefits of Hybrid Teams
Leadership remains critical in a hybrid setup. Seven in ten managers believe hybrid or remote work has improved their teams’ productivity. Their main focus areas include employee engagement, satisfaction, and consistent access to IT support.
These priorities are consistent regardless of whether a team is remote, hybrid, or fully in-person.
Hybrid Work Is Becoming a Workplace Foundation
These findings suggest that hybrid work has moved beyond a trend and is now a core feature of modern working life in the U.K. As employees balance flexibility, side projects, and new technology, the workplace continues to evolve in practical and people-centered ways.
