“Three days in the office is the sweet spot — any more and staff start disengaging from work.”
Context
This remark by Phillippa O’Connor, chief people officer at professional services firm PwC UK, comes amid ongoing debate about the optimal structure for hybrid working. As organisations continue to refine post-pandemic working models, the question of how many days employees should be in the office remains a point of contention between leadership and staff, and among HR professionals seeking to balance flexibility with productivity.
O’Connor’s assessment — that three days in the office strikes the right balance — reflects PwC’s current hybrid policy and appears to be rooted in employee feedback and internal engagement data. Her statement also signals caution against pushing too hard for a full return, which risks triggering dissatisfaction or disengagement.
The quote, made in an interview with news site Business Insider, has gained traction on social media and in industry circles, reflecting a growing consensus: more time in the office doesn’t automatically mean more output, and, in some cases, may do the opposite.
Meaning
O’Connor’s comment suggests several key takeaways:
- There is a tipping point in office attendance, beyond which employee motivation may decline.
- Hybrid work, when thoughtfully structured, can enhance engagement and performance, but rigid or arbitrary policies can backfire.
- Organisations need to find their own “sweet spot” by listening to staff and analysing how different working patterns affect team dynamics, productivity and wellbeing.
The quote is also a quiet challenge to leadership mindsets still wedded to presenteeism: if over-attendance leads to disengagement, then physical presence is clearly not a proxy for effectiveness.
Implications
For HR leaders and line managers, the comment underscores the importance of a data-informed and people-centred approach to hybrid work. It raises several considerations:
- Policy design: Employers should resist one-size-fits-all mandates and instead shape policies around what works best for specific teams, roles and cultures.
- Manager capability: Middle managers need support to manage hybrid teams in ways that build trust and cohesion without relying on in-office oversight.
- Engagement tracking: HR teams must monitor how different working patterns affect connection, performance and wellbeing, and be ready to adjust policies accordingly.
With increasing evidence that rigid return-to-office rules can hurt retention and morale, O’Connor’s “three-day” suggestion offers a flexible framework grounded in pragmatism. It may not be universal, but it’s a timely reminder that productivity and presence are not the same thing.
