Why come to the office? Investigating employee return to office in hybrid work

What is it about?

After COVID-19, many companies redesigned their offices to make employees want to return—but not everyone is coming back. This study explored why some employees choose to work from home even when modern, flexible offices are available. Through interviews and observations in three Danish workplaces, we found that while people value the social side of office life and good facilities, many still prefer working from home because it offers more comfort, privacy, and better conditions for focused work. The study shows that workplace design alone isn’t enough—it must match how people actually work and feel.

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