Hybrid Work Has Become the Norm, But the Physical Office Remains Vital for Employee Engagement, New ISS Survey Reveals

Hybrid Work Has Become the Norm, But the Physical Office Remains Vital for Employee Engagement, New ISS Survey Reveals

(IN BRIEF) ISS’s 2025 survey shows that while hybrid work has become standard for many, 71% of employees still see the physical office as essential for social interaction, knowledge sharing, and team collaboration. The survey highlights the importance of balancing hybrid work with meaningful office experiences to foster employee engagement and retention.

(PRESS RELEASE) COPENHAGEN, 30-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Despite the global shift towards hybrid work, the physical office still plays a crucial role in employee engagement, collaboration, and retention, according to a new global survey by ISS, a leading workplace experience and facility management company. The survey, which analyzed the preferences of nearly 11,000 office workers across 14 countries, reveals that while hybrid work is the norm, the office remains indispensable for social interaction, knowledge sharing, and fostering a sense of belonging.

Key findings from the survey show that 71% of employees still find the physical office important, with top benefits including spending time with colleagues, knowledge sharing, and learning from others. Social interaction with colleagues was also ranked as a key motivator for job satisfaction, just behind work-life balance.

Though hybrid work remains the preferred model, the survey underscores the risks of relying too heavily on remote work, including limited networking opportunities, reduced career development, and weakened relationships with managers and colleagues.

Carl-Fredrik Bjor, Group Commercial & Revenue Officer at ISS A/S, stated: “The physical office still plays a vital role but is undergoing a significant transformation. With hybrid work as the preferred choice for most employees, the office must foster connectivity, collaboration, and individual well-being.”

Employees are also demanding more from the office experience, with food offerings, gyms, and quiet zones topping the list of desired features to make the office worth the commute.

Download the report here: Evolving Workplaces: Find your space to thrive – Report download

About the survey:
The ISS Evolving Workplaces survey was conducted in January 2025 among nearly 11,000 office workers — representing a cross-section of society – from the UK, the US, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, India, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, and Sweden.

Download the report here: Evolving Workplaces: Find your space to thrive – Report download

About ISS

ISS is a leading workplace experience and facility management company. In partnership with customers, ISS drives the engagement and well-being of people, minimises the impact on the environment, and protects and maintains property. ISS brings all of this to life through a unique combination of data, insight and service excellence at offices, factories, airports, hospitals and other locations across the globe. ISS has more than 325,000 employees around the globe, who we call “placemakers”. In 2024, ISS Group’s global revenue amounted to DKK 83.8 billion. For more information on the ISS Group, visit www.issworld.com

Media Contact:

Charlotte Holm, Head of External Communication, +45 4176 1989

SOURCE: ISS