Pessimism

The number of comments relating to concerns was approximately the same as the number of positive comments.

People

Just as some praised and some mourned the advent of hybrid working, a concern raised was about the return to inflexibility. A balance does need to be reached—one comment read 'we gave an inch and they took a mile' .

However, most of the concerns raised related to new and young employees not learning from their peers and seniors, not learning professional behaviours, hampering their professional development and breaking the bond between employee / employer by not being in the office.

Reduced productivity was reported as being a concern arising from hybrid working, while some lamented it being a permanent solution that was essentially an emergency response to a specific and pressing issue.

An extension of hybrid working is the opportunity for non-geographical recruitment —this is an opportunity and a threat, with the potential for work going to cheaper locations.

As was referenced in Q8, salary expectations and the ability to compete in the jobs market are a concern for many. The cost of living also has an impact on people’s ability to attend the workplace

The 4-day week by stealth was raised as an issue—this will very possibly impact support staff who rely on delivering commercial services. A catch-all term 'concerns about the unknown' possibly reflects a wider feeling— some businesses thrive on certainty.

Technology

The threat to the status quo from AI and technology, with regard to jobs, was raised as a concern, as was more general technology issues around security, rising costs and having the spaces to support the ever-present Zoom / Teams calls.

Space

Access to reasonable-cost, small, suitable, and flexible office space made one respondent pessimistic; a different perspective was having redundant office space or facing the closure of offices as business go through a process of reorganisation. Access to appropriate space to support growth was also reported as being a concern.

Workplaces are vital parts of our cities and towns—their economies rely on people attending and generating footfall in local businesses. The threat is of permanent closures and job losses.

Other

The fact that the last lockdown is not too distant a memory causes some to fear a return to the cycle of lockdowns we had previously, with enforced working from home.