How many Kiwi workers face office mandates?

As New Zealand employers push to reestablish pre-pandemic office routines, a survey by Robert Half reveals that 41% of Kiwi workers are mandated to attend the office five days a week.

This marks the most common requirement among New Zealand employees, with 18% required to be in the office three days a week and 16% four days a week.

Only 15% of workers enjoy full flexibility regarding their office attendance in 2024.

The study, conducted in June 2024 among 501 full-time workers, highlights a significant shift back to traditional office settings.

"We are coming full circle back to pre-pandemic levels where hybrid working was the exception, not the rule. New Zealand workers are back in the office more than they have been since the pandemic as many companies are seizing the employer-favouring job market to request their staff to return," said Megan Alexander, Managing Director at Robert Half.

Satisfaction with office mandates

Despite the shift, the majority of New Zealand workers seem to have accepted the necessity of office attendance.

According to the survey, 80% of employees are satisfied with the number of mandated in-office days, while 20% express dissatisfaction, found Robert Half.

The data shows no clear correlation between the number of required days and satisfaction levels, though workers mandated to attend four days a week report the highest dissatisfaction rate at 33%. In contrast, only 19% of those attending three and five days a week are dissatisfied.

Mixed emotions about in-office requirements

The report from Robert Half highlights that while most workers acknowledge the benefits of office attendance, there are significant drawbacks as well.

An overwhelming 93% of employees recognize the positive impacts of being in the office. The key benefits include:

• Better collaboration and teamwork (57%)
• Improved communication and relationship building (51%)
• Access to resources and support (47%)
• Clearer boundaries between work life and personal life (42%)

However, about 87% of workers identify several downsides, the most prominent being increased costs associated with commuting and lunch (52%). Other negative impacts include:

• Increased stress (37%)
• Challenges in managing a healthy work-life balance (37%)
• Lack of flexibility in work schedules (31%)

"The move to reduce remote and hybrid work options is not universally embraced by employees," Alexander noted.

"Mandatory office attendance can be a mixed bag for workers, offering advantages alongside potential downsides. While they foster collaboration and culture, they can also lead to resentment and disengagement if not implemented and justified thoughtfully.”