Market Insight

Hybrid working: The future is still flexing

Is working from home a dying trend? If the latest headlines are anything to go by, you’d be forgiven for thinking so.

June 23, 2025

Is working from home a dying trend? If the latest headlines are anything to go by, you’d be forgiven for thinking so. But the reality is far more nuanced- and optimistic- for the future of hybrid working.

At Vail Williams, we recently analysed the Office for National Statistics’ latest Workplace Survey, applying trend mapping techniques to understand where working patterns are heading.

The findings paint a compelling picture: Hybrid working is not just holding steady- it’s set to become the dominant way of working by as soon as 2027.

Agency Partner and office market expert, Guy Parkes, said:

“When we analysed the latest data from the Office of National Statistics’ Workplace Survey, if current patterns continue, hybrid working could actually overtake travel to the workplace by 2027, and has already eclipsed working only from home.”

Office of National Statistics’ Workplace Survey Data

While the number of people working exclusively from home is gradually declining, this shift isn’t towards a full-time return to the office.

Instead, businesses are increasingly settling into a balanced rhythm of hybrid working- typically involving three days a week in the office. This approach is particularly popular among large corporates, many of whom we advise on property strategy.

Guy added: “The message from the large corporates we deal with is clear – working from home is very much still alive and kicking. The ONS data shows that working from home is only dropping in favour of a hybrid working model, which for the most part is being adopted on a 3-day a week workplace requirement.”

Why? Because hybrid working strikes the right balance. Employees continue to see the value of face-to-face collaboration- whether that’s for training and mentoring, career development, or simply building stronger workplace relationships.

Guy explains: “At the same time, businesses understand that flexibility remains key to attracting and retaining top talent. To that end, we’re seeing a wave of innovation in the way offices are being used and designed.

“Employers are tuning into the limitations of mandating a full-scale return to the workplace, and many are actively reshaping the office experience to meet new expectations. This includes offering more flexible working hours to help staff avoid the stress and cost of peak commuting.”

Guy Parkes, Agency Partner, Vail Williams LLP.

It also means rethinking the physical workspace itself.

There’s a growing emphasis on acoustic comfort, with the introduction of quiet zones and meeting pods to facilitate concentration and confidential conversations.

But perhaps the most transformative shift is in the activation of the workplace- bringing hotel-style amenities into the office. From on-site cafés and snack bars to gyms, yoga studios, and even padel courts, the modern office is evolving into a destination in its own right.

The result? Town centres, coffee shops, and sandwich bars are springing back to life as people re-engage with the workplace and the wider community around it. The status quo is changing and town centres, coffee shops and sandwich bars are buzzing again as a result.

So no, working from home is far from dead. It’s simply taking on a new shape – one that supports business needs, nurtures employee wellbeing, and breathes fresh life into our towns and cities.

The future isn’t fixed- but it’s definitely flexible.

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Unit 4 Thorpe Industrial Estate, Alpha Way, Egham, Egham

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Hybrid working: The future is still flexing

Is working from home a dying trend? If the latest headlines are anything to go by, you’d be forgiven for thinking so. But the reality is far more nuanced- and optimistic- for the future of hybrid working.

Office of National Statistics’ Workplace Survey Data

While the number of people working exclusively from home is gradually declining, this shift isn’t towards a full-time return to the office.

Guy Parkes, Agency Partner, Vail Williams LLP.

It also means rethinking the physical workspace itself.

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Unit 4 Thorpe Industrial Estate, Alpha Way, Egham, Egham

£14.00 per sqft

Is working from home a dying trend? If the latest headlines are anything to go by, you’d be forgiven for thinking so. But the reality is far more nuanced- and optimistic- for the future of hybrid working.

Office of National Statistics’ Workplace Survey Data

While the number of people working exclusively from home is gradually declining, this shift isn’t towards a full-time return to the office.

Guy Parkes, Agency Partner, Vail Williams LLP.

It also means rethinking the physical workspace itself.

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Guy Parkes

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