Return-to-Office Trends in Switzerland: Is the wind shifting?

Over the last two years, there has been an increasing number of statements from companies that employees should work in the office more regularly. The more radical the demand, the more it was taken up by the media. A well-founded consideration reveals that the desired office presence varies greatly overall. JLL has therefore conducted again a survey of Swiss companies/institutions to gain insights into how they are dealing with new workplace concepts and whether this could have an impact on future demand for office space.

Various companies in the US had widely promoted working from home. Some even went so far as to give up locations and premises and allow employees to work from other states. Many have turned this around in recent months. In doing so, some companies have massively tightened their wording to force staff to return to the office.

Many companies in Switzerland are wondering whether and how often their employees should work in the office. However, in most cases the demands are significantly milder and less drastic than those on institutions in the USA. 15% of the companies surveyed expect their employees to carry out their work activities entirely in the office. Conversely, 5% of companies allow unlimited work in the home office. The vast majority (80%) rely on hybrid forms of work.

Working from home has become established in large parts of the service sector and will have a lasting impact on the world of work. Accordingly, office concepts are changing and adapting to the new needs of companies and employees. On the one hand, this means that there will be fewer dedicated workstations and, conversely, more desk sharing. On the other hand, there is an increasing demand for collaborative and communal areas.

Many employers are open to the new forms of work, but still see the office as the main place of work for professional activities. In the last 1–2 years, various corporations have therefore required their employees to be present in the office more regularly.

The majority of Swiss companies surveyed (63%) will maintain their current office space consumption in the short to medium term. However, among those willing to change, the proportion with a lower space requirement is higher (27% vs. 10%). As many companies are adapting their workplace concepts to the new forms of work, the requirements for office space in terms of layout and usability are changing. The flexibility factor will become even more important, particularly in view of the expected growth in the number of employees at 50% of the companies surveyed. This is to be achieved for the most part within the existing space.

JLL Switzerland - Return-to-office survey 2024