Younger workers driving return to the office as older employees resist change 

Younger workers are more willing to return to the office than their older colleagues, according to new research from benefits and wellbeing provider Epassi UK. 

Almost three in ten employers (29 per cent) said employees under 30 are the least likely to object to office working. One in five businesses (20 per cent) reported that younger staff come in more often than required. 

The findings come from Epassi’s Employee Benefits Report 2025, based on surveys of 2,000 adults and 500 HR decision-makers. The data shows a divide between generations as employers continue to shift their hybrid and home-working policies. 

Hybrid working remains one of the most valued benefits. Eighty-six per cent of employees said it is one of the perks they value most, with many reporting improved happiness and productivity. Three-quarters (74 per cent) said they get more work done at home due to the lack of commuting. 

Despite this, workplace policies are changing. A quarter of employers (27 per cent) have required more in-office attendance in the past year. One in five businesses (22 per cent) plan further changes, and almost one in five (18 per cent) believe full-time office working will be the norm again by 2030. 

Employees have noticed the shift. More than half (52 per cent) said their employer’s attitude to home working has changed in the past year, rising to 59 per cent among under-30s. Half (51 per cent) believe those who come into the office more often are treated more favourably. 

The pressure to return is prompting some to reconsider their jobs. A fifth of employers (20 per cent) said increased office requirements have already led to resignations. Seventy per cent of employees said they would consider leaving if hybrid working were removed. 

Matt Russell, Epassi UK and Zest chief executive, said the findings challenge assumptions about workplace preferences. He said:

“Gen Z employees are often assumed to be the ones pushing back against a return to the office – our research shows that the reverse is more likely,”

He added that younger staff often value the social and developmental opportunities of office life, while older workers are more likely to favour home working because of childcare responsibilities, longer commutes or investment in home offices. 

Russell said employers should avoid rigid policies. “Offering employees flexibility is key,” he said. “Mandating a full return to the office can risk a mass loss of talent.” 

ONS data shows that 9.5 million people in the UK were hybrid working earlier this year. Epassi says organisations that want to retain talent should balance hybrid options with competitive benefits and workplace support. 

Epassi UK, which recently acquired employee benefits platform Zest, provides personalised benefits and wellbeing tools to employers across the UK.