British workers more reluctant to return to office than Europeans, new research reveals

British office workers have returned to their desks at a far slower rate than their European counterparts, new research has revealed.

A study, conducted by research unit AlphaWise at US bank Morgan Stanley, found around 34 per cent of British white-collar workers are back in the office, compared to 83 per cent of French office staff.

Britain also lagged behind the other major European economies on office returns, with around three-quarters of German, Italian and Spanish workers having returned to the pre-pandemic commuting routine, according to the study.

It found workers in London were far more likely to still be working five days a week from home than those working similar jobs in other European capitals, including Berlin, Paris, Rome, and Madrid.

The government is encouraging office workers in England to return, dropping advice to “work from home if you can” from the start of August, in part to help boost struggling city centre economies.

Employees returning to their desks is now at the “discretion” of employers, and advice to avoid all unnecessary public transport journeys has been dropped in England.

But poll findings from Portland Communications, seen by the Standard last month, suggested that one third of London workers will not be back in the office by Christmas, with eight out of 10 saying they feared returning to their desks.

RBS has told the majority of its staff they will be working from home until 2021, with many top City institutions also extending working from home policies.

While latest Department for Transport data suggests Tube and train journeys still stand at just 25 per cent of the pre-pandemic levels.

The recommendation in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is for staff to continue to work from home where possible.

British office workers face some of the longest commute times in Europe. It is unclear whether the earlier onset of lockdown and easing of restrictions in European countries has impacted the rate of return to offices.

In concluding notes on its research, the AlphaWise team warned that the “new normal” may see offices may become “part-time 'hotels' rather than 'homes' for employees” .