The UK labour market is in the midst of a very real sea change, with return-to-office mandates rising among knowledge economy employees. And unlike knowledge workers in secretive lab, office, or commercial spaces, software developers are now required to be deskbound an average of 2.3 workdays a week. This represents a 0.6-day increase since 2023. This adjustment is an indicative reflection of the workplace today and where it is headed. Employers, though, are using the leverage of a deteriorating labor market to push for more in-person work.
Now, employers are taking advantage of the softer labour market to raise the stakes on in-person attendance even higher. Many organizations are emphasizing the importance of collaboration and office culture, believing that these elements are better fostered through personal interactions. Jack Kennedy, a labor market expert, noted, “What we’re seeing is employers using the softer labour market to push for more face-to-face time, whether that’s to encourage collaboration, rebuild office culture, or simply because they feel they can.”
The calling back of workers to in-office work is not equitable across all regions. In the north-east of England, hybrid workers are required to office 2.7 days per week on average. This data point is the second highest rate in the country. In comparison, employees based in London are required to be in-office an average of 2.2 days a week. Accounting professionals have inelastic attendance demand. On average, they work in the office only 2.4 days a week.
Job postings are increasingly reflecting these expectations. Over 60 percent of job postings today require employees to come into the office at least two days a week. Interestingly, 56% of these listings acknowledge this trend. In addition, 25% of all job postings mandate three days in the office, and 4% even say four days. The evolution into a more hybrid working environment than ever before is still unfolding. Today, 85% of UK hybrid jobs on Indeed compel workers to be in the office at least two days per week, up from 77% in 2024 and 66% in 2023.
Not surprisingly, the trend toward more casual office attire has caught on. By July of 2025, job ads listing a casual dress code suddenly increased. They were an order of magnitude more prevalent than pre-2020! Even with this bump, casual dress codes only represent a small percentage of all job postings. In contrast, they are historically low at only 3.3%.
Software developers and accountants have seen an uptick in office return demands, with little hope for those fields. It’s common for employees in human resources (HR) and IT infrastructure roles to be required to work in-person. That’s an average of 2.3 days a week spent on it. Those in architecture and social science jobs have the lowest attendance requirements, averaging just 1.6 days per week.
Recognising how these workplace shifting labour market trends and cubicle collapse vulnerability to workplace bargaining changes, these policies are emblematic of bigger shifts through the labour market. Employers are making difficult decisions during this difficult time. They’re juggling how to have career-building remote work options with collaborative work environments to support productivity and build healthy workplace culture.