ISS study finds the office holds the key to reinforcing culture and belonging

A new global study of nearly 11,000 employees on workstyles and preferences, conducted by ISS has revealed that despite the rise of hybrid work, the physical office remains vital for today’s workforce, serving as a place for social bonds and knowledge sharing. As a result, ISS says the office must act as a “catalyst for culture, innovation, and a sense of belonging” — especially in light of employers’ persistent focus on employee attraction and retention.

The ‘Evolving Workplaces‘ study shows that while hybrid work has become the norm for most office workers worldwide, with eight out of 10 working remotely each week, typically one to two days, 71 per cent of workers still find the physical office important. The top three perceived advantages of working in the office are spending time with colleagues, knowledge sharing and learning from others, and getting out and about.

Social interaction with colleagues is also among the key factors driving job motivation. While work-life balance is the top factor, collaboration with colleagues comes in second, along with hybrid work options and recognition and awards.

This emphasis on in-person interaction also ties into concerns about the long-term risks of remote work. Despite the preference for hybrid work, 88 per cent of responses highlight potential risks, primarily missing out on networking opportunities — both professionally and socially — limitations in career development, and weaker relationships with managers and colleagues.

According to Carl-Fredrik Bjor, Group Commercial & Revenue Officer at ISS A/S, these findings present both strong potential and evolving expectations that employers need to consider.

He said: “The physical office still plays a vital role but is undergoing a significant transformation. With hybrid work as the preferred choice for most employees, the office must foster connectivity, collaboration, and individual wellbeing. There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ model — it depends on the company and work-style personas. Ultimately, the office should reinforce the company’s purpose. However, from conversations with our 40,000 customers worldwide, we see that successful companies balance their workspaces to support both group work and socialisation, as well as the need for individual focus time.”

Another significant trend is that employees expect more from the office to enhance their workplace experience. When respondents in the survey were asked what would make them work from the office more in the future, the top driver was ‘food experiences’ like breakfast, lunch, snacks, or coffee. Facilities such as a gym, activity areas, and quiet zones were also high on the wish list.

Bjor continued: “Today’s workforce has high expectations. And while employers cannot always accommodate every request, there is no doubt that they face an increasingly significant task in making the office worth the commute — something many see as a barrier. Once again, it is a matter of understanding what drives motivation and engagement among your own employees. Sometimes, it can be the smaller workplace experiences that enhance people’s wellbeing and sense of belonging. The universal principle is that when people thrive, the business thrives.”

The ISS Evolving Workplaces survey was conducted in January 2025 among nearly 11,000 office workers — representing a cross-section of society – from the UK, the US, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, India, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, and Sweden.