02/13/2025

If Organizations Want People to ‘Return to Office," They Must Offer a Better Experience

People no longer look at office work as a plus

A new report from the British Council for Offices (BCO) argues that if employers want their staff to ‘return to office’, they need to approach the workplace in the same way they would their customers by creating spaces that offer experiences workers actively seek out. The report, titled Towards Experience Utopia, claims to serve as a comprehensive guide for creating optimal working environments that integrate the best aspects of both remote and in-office work. Commissioned by the BCO Occupiers Group, which includes major employers like NatWest, PwC, Deloitte, and Goldman Sachs, the report highlights how the shift towards hybrid working has transformed the expectations of employees.

Meanwhile, the so-called ‘return to office’ debate drags on, with many companies grappling with how to entice employees back into physical spaces. The challenge has become a central point of discussion as organizations try to balance the benefits of in-person collaboration with the freedom and convenience that remote working provides. In this evolving landscape, offices are no longer just places of work; they are environments where companies must win back the hearts of their employees, who now demand more fulfilling, flexible, and meaningful experiences.

The report urges employers to prioritize designing offices that not only facilitate work but also inspire and engage, competing directly with the comfort and flexibility of home working. Previous BCO research had called on landlords to treat their tenants as customers in order to protect revenue and build strong relationships. However, Towards Experience Utopia claims to push this idea further, positioning the employee as the ultimate judge of value in today’s workplace. This shift necessitates a new mindset in how office buildings are designed and operated.

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