Average UK office attendance ‘settling’ at highest level since before Covid

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Julia KolleweMarch 9, 2026 at 07:00 AM

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medium article 3 min

UK office attendance has reached its highest level since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, averaging above 40% since early January and peaking at 44.2% in mid-February, according to Remit Consulting. While investment banks like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are pushing for full-time office returns, many companies, particularly in law and accounting, still offer hybrid work models. Office occupancy varies across UK cities, with Bristol, Leeds, and Cardiff showing the highest rates, while London and other major cities lag behind. Experts suggest office attendance is stabilizing, with flexibility becoming a standard expectation, prompting a shift in focus towards improving the office experience to support new work patterns. However, some employees resist full-time mandates, as evidenced by a petition at JPMorgan Chase criticizing the five-day office edict.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Glasgow 50% Birmingham 50% London 50% Newcastle upon Tyne 50% Bristol 50% Leeds 50% Cardiff 50% Edinburgh 50% Manchester 50% Lorna Landells ×260% Remit Consulting 70% UK ×290%

Keywords

office attendance 100% return to office 90% remote work 70% office occupancy 60% covid-19 pandemic 60% workplace flexibility 50% employee resistance 40% investment banks 40%