HOW DOES YOUR HIRING STRATEGY ACCOMMODATE CONFLICTING VIEWS ON REMOTE WORKING?
Posted on 5th May 2025
UK businesses seem deeply divided in their approach to home-working and remote working. While some organisations continue to embrace flexible working arrangements, offering robust remote and hybrid policies as a core part of their employment offering, others are increasingly pushing for a return to traditional office-based models. This split reflects differing views on productivity, collaboration, and company culture. But where does this split approach leave employers looking to shape effective hiring strategies for the current availability of talented candidates?
REMOTE WORKING STILL STRONG AMONG UK EMPLOYERS
Research by the Institute of Directors (IoD) indicates remote and hybrid working remain integral to UK business. In a Sept 2023 survey, 84% of business leaders planned some form of remote working for office-based employees in the long term. Only 11% anticipated a complete return to full-time office work.
The UK’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are also embracing flexible work models. A 2024 survey by Peninsula Group revealed that the proportion of UK firms offering flexible working nearly doubled to 28%, while those requiring full-time office presence dropped from 51.2% to 44.4%.
Additionally, a 2024 survey by Acas found that 30% of employers have seen an increase in staff working from home over the past year. Furthermore, 20% of employers reported implementing home working due to a reduction in physical workspace, indicating a strategic shift towards flexible working arrangements.
EMPLOYERS PHASING OUT REMOTE WORK
Despite the continued presence of remote work, a significant number of UK employers are moving towards increased in-office requirements. According to a 2024 survey by WTW, 60% of UK companies have implemented formal policies mandating a minimum number of in-office days per week.
The trend is further supported by findings from the KPMG 2024 CEO Outlook report, which revealed that 83% of UK CEOs anticipate a full return to office-based work within the next three years. This marks a 19 percentage point increase from the previous year.
Additionally, a study by the British Sociological Association found that employees working entirely from home are 11% less likely to receive promotions compared to their office-based counterparts. Hybrid workers also face a 7% lower chance of promotion!
WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE YOUR HIRING STRATEGY?
Employers must carefully navigate conflicting views on remote versus office working when shaping their approach, balancing operational needs with employee expectations and broader hiring trends. While some evidence supports the productivity and satisfaction benefits of remote work, other research points to the value of in-person collaboration and mentorship, particularly for junior staff. As a result, many employers are continuing to adopt hybrid models, allowing flexibility while maintaining some office presence. When developing a hiring strategy, it’s essential to consider how remote work policies influence talent attraction and retention—offering too little flexibility may deter skilled candidates, while overly remote roles might limit team cohesion or development opportunities. An effective strategy aligns work policies with organisational goals, workforce demographics, and competitive positioning.
WE’RE READY TO SHAPE YOUR HIRING STRATEGY
Whether it’s dealing with remote working, hybrid working or flexible working policies, Netbox Recruitment are your local experts in talent attraction, creating long-term, successful new hires for your business.
