Obligation to return to the office makes it difficult for German employers to recruit employees

Over a third of employers (34%) have problems recruiting employees because they are required to come into the office. Existing employees are changing jobs due to a lack of work-life balance.

According to a new study by Unispace, companies in Germany are finding it difficult to recruit new employees because they are put off by the obligation to return to the office. At the same time, existing employees are changing jobs due to a poor work-life balance and an unbalanced corporate culture. The "Returning for Good" study is based on a comprehensive survey of 9,500 employees and 6,650 managers from 17 countries worldwide. It shows that 43% of German employees currently spend four days a week in the office, although only 22% actually prefer to do so.

While German companies want their employees to go into the office more regularly, our findings show that they need to offer more to actively encourage them to return.

Matthew Zych, Regional Director Central Europe Unispace

The study found that 86% of German companies have introduced various return to office policies. As a result, 34% of employers are struggling to recruit new employees. A report shows that these recruitment difficulties are exacerbated by staff turnover rates. In the last two years, 25% of employees have left their jobs due to an unsustainable work-life balance, while a further 25% have resigned due to workplace culture issues.

Despite the impact of these rules on the workforce, 80% of employers expect employees to work at least four days a week in the office in the future. In fact, 41% of employers believe this will be the case by 2025.

Socializing with colleagues was cited as the top reason for going to the office (33%), but employees also report that they are more likely to be distracted in the office

Matthew Zych, Regional Director Central Europe Unispace

Another disadvantage is that there is a lack of privacy and it is difficult to get access to concentration areas. More than a third of respondents (36%) said they feel more effective outside the office in a quiet space. On the other hand, 35% of workers lack the privacy they have at home. These issues affect productivity at work, with 52% of German employees stating that they find it difficult to complete their main tasks effectively in the office.

The "Returning for Good" study was conducted by Unispace Global Workplace Insights. Unispace is a strategy, design and construction company that operates worldwide. The company provides solutions for the design of purpose-built spaces such as offices, laboratories, life sciences facilities, campuses, headquarters, hospitality and sports venues, and retail spaces. With over 5,500 completed projects, a presence in 26 countries and more than 700 employees, Unispace has demonstrated that they work closely and successfully with their clients.

The results of the study bring fresh input to the ongoing discussion about New Work and work-life balance. Considering the current situation in the office real estate market, it will be interesting to see how future work realities develop.