Australian employers keen to follow peers on office return

New research by Robert Half indicates that policies for returning to office work are heavily influenced by similar mandates introduced by other businesses, with 84% of Australian employers considering these external examples when determining their own company's work arrangements.

The study has shown an increase in the number of employers planning to require their employees to be in the office for five days a week in 2025, with the figure rising from 36% in 2024 to 39% in the following year. This pattern points to a growing trend where the preferred mandate among employers is full in-office attendance. Additionally, 22% aim to mandate four days, while 20% opt for three days in-office presence as the next favourable options.

Nicole Gorton, Director at Robert Half, commented on the influence exerted by peer companies: "We're observing a fascinating domino effect in the return-to-office landscape this year, pressuring businesses to conform." She added that as workplace dynamics revert to pre-pandemic norms, employees are less likely to resist these mandates within their own workplaces.

There appears to be a notable shift in employee attitudes towards being required to attend the office, with 63% of employers reporting an improvement compared to last year. This change in perspective comes as many businesses emphasise the importance of in-person collaboration for productivity and morale.

Despite variance in how significantly companies are influenced by external mandates, employers in Queensland, New South Wales, and Western Australia are more prone to be guided by the trends set by others, with 87%, 86%, and 86% respectively. However, Victorian employers are less affected by this trend, with 25% indicating that the policies of other companies do not influence their own.

While the preferred number of in-office days for many employers remains high, the allowance for some work-from-home flexibility still exists. In 2024, the number of mandated in-office workdays averaged 3.43 days a week, which is set to increase to 3.64 days weekly in 2025. However, certain employers still permit their staff to work remotely for part of the week, maintaining a degree of hybrid working as a part of their employment strategies.

Gorton observed the evolving workplace patterns: "The change of year brings another shift towards a more office-centric work environment across Australia." She emphasised the important role of hybrid models, alongside the increased office mandates, as key to supporting business productivity and employee well-being.

The feedback received highlights that Victorian employees are less likely to show improved attitudes towards mandatory office days, with some companies reporting worsening perspectives. In contrast, only a very small percentage of firms in other states reported similar dissatisfaction among their staff. This varied regional sentiment indicates a potential challenge for organisations operating nationally to unify workforce expectations.