As the UK workforce continues to reshape its approach to work, new research from Owl Labs reveals key trends highlighting the ongoing shift towards flexibility, greater boundaries, and the rejection of traditional hustle culture.
The company’s annual State of Hybrid Work Report, which surveyed 2,000 full-time UK employees and 8,000 globally, underscores the growing demand for hybrid work models and a stronger work-life balance.
Flexibility Over Full-Time Office Work
Despite high-profile return-to-office (RTO) mandates from companies like PwC, Santander, and Amazon, hybrid working remains the preference for the majority of UK workers. The report shows that 74 percent of employees favour hybrid arrangements, with only 11% opting for full-time office work. As many as 47 percent of employees say they would leave their current job in search of one with greater flexibility if hybrid or remote work was no longer an option.
This comes as the UK government, under new Labour leadership, contemplates introducing a four-day workweek and the ‘right to switch off’—a move designed to further empower employees to control their working hours.
A Decline in Hustle Culture
As hybrid work rises, so does the rejection of hustle culture. Many workers are setting clearer boundaries, with nearly one in five (19%) refusing to take on tasks outside their specific job descriptions. Additionally, 20 percent avoid answering work messages after hours, as employees increasingly value work-life balance. The top reason UK workers are considering new jobs is for better balance, with 73 percent even willing to sacrifice some salary for a four-day week.
Owl Labs CEO Frank Weishaupt says, “Employees are seeking authentic work experiences that allow them to pursue passions while reducing burnout. The shift from hustle culture is unmistakable as workers prioritize flexibility and well-being.”
Clock-Blocking and Coffee Badging
To protect their time, workers are adopting practices like “clock-blocking”—blocking off calendar time to avoid meetings—with 63 percent admitting to doing so. Meanwhile, the phenomenon of “coffee badging,” where employees make brief appearances in the office before finishing the day remotely, has surged from 23 percent in 2023 to 39 percent this year. Despite this, 64 percent of employees who admit to coffee badging say their employers have caught them, with over half reporting that their bosses didn’t mind.
The Role of Leadership in Shaping Work Culture
As hybrid work becomes entrenched, the role of managers has evolved. A supportive manager is now almost as important as salary, with 89 percent of employees valuing this quality compared to 90 percent who prioritise pay. However, proximity bias remains a concern, with 54 percent of managers admitting they favour input from colleagues they physically work with over those who are remote.
Weishaupt emphasises the importance of training managers to adapt to these new realities, stating, “People don’t leave companies, they leave managers. It’s crucial that companies invest in management to create a workforce of supportive, flexible leaders.”
As the UK workforce continues to evolve, it’s clear that flexibility, boundaries, and balance are no longer optional—they’re essential. Comp
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
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