- Nearly four in five (79%) UK office workers believe it’s fair for their bosses to require in-person meeting attendance - if it adds value
- While certain types of interactions are preferred in person - including planning meetings (57%), creative brainstorms (62%), and review meetings (62%) - half of workers (50%) don’t want more mandated office days
- Face-to-face meetings also influence budgets, with 59% of professionals saying that they would spend more with a supplier they’ve met in person
- As 41% of UK business leaders adjusts their hybrid work policies, LinkedIn is opening its new Experience Centre to help shape the future of in-person collaboration
New research from LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, reveals that UK office workers are looking for real value in their in-office experiences—not just more time at their desks.
The research shows that on the whole, UK employees recognise the benefits of in-person interactions, such as stronger relationship building (45%), greater engagement in meetings (43%), and faster decision-making (36%), but they also want flexibility in how and when they come in.
Half (50%) of UK office workers do not want their employer to dictate office attendance beyond their current hybrid arrangements. However, 72% agree it’s fair for their boss to expect in-person collaboration when it has clear value.
Value Over Frequency
While many meetings can be done remotely, such as internal catch-ups (54%) and weekly status calls (58%), employees believe certain moments require being in the room.
When it comes to business outcomes, face-to-face interactions make a difference. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of those surveyed said they feel more confident signing off a business deal in person, citing reasons like:
- Tackling complex or sensitive issues more effectively (49%)
- Establishing trust (44%)
- Reading non-verbal cues (43%)
The impact extends beyond internal collaboration, as 59% of professionals say they would spend more with a supplier they’ve met in person.
Meeting in the Middle
According to LinkedIn’s Work Change Report, 39% of UK C-suite leaders are redesigning their hybrid policies in 2025. While flexibility remains a priority, businesses are also focused on keeping employees engaged and driving productivity. However, 34% of C-suite leaders worry that requiring more in-person work could push top talent toward more flexible employers.
The challenge is finding the right balance between autonomy and collaboration, giving employees control over their schedules while fostering teamwork. To address this, 41% of UK C-suite leaders plan to offer more flexible in-office hours to support productivity, recognising that meaningful in-person interactions drive faster decision-making, spark creativity, and strengthen team relationships, all of which lead to better business outcomes.
The Experience Centre
LinkedIn is opening its new Experience Centre in London, a dedicated space designed to foster collaboration, engagement, and knowledge-sharing in the evolving world of work. As businesses rethink the role of in-person interactions, LinkedIn is investing in a space that brings employees, customers and members together, through hands-on experiences that deliver enhanced value and access to insights, business solutions, and platform tools.
The Centre will feature curated events, leadership roundtables and interactive workshops on AI, enabling better knowledge-sharing of LinkedIn data insights and access to experts across hiring, B2B sales and marketing. These experiences will help professionals and businesses navigate the future of hybrid work in a more intentional way.
“With businesses navigating a tough economic climate, getting the balance right has never been more important. How do you keep employees motivated, improve productivity, and make in-person time really count? That’s exactly why we’re launching the LinkedIn Experience Centre, to create a space where businesses can explore what meaningful collaboration looks like in practice”. Janine Chamberlin, Head of LinkedIn UK The future of work isn’t about forcing people back into the office; it’s about making sure that when they do come in, it’s worth it. The companies that get this right—those that create spaces for meaningful collaboration, idea-sharing, and relationship-building—will be the ones that keep their best talent engaged. That starts with listening to employees and making in-person moments truly valuable.”
