Now in its sixth year, the survey shows that rigid return-to-office (RTO) mandates alone are failing to increase in-person attendance. In Australia, office attendance levels have remained relatively flat year-on-year, with 52% of employees working five days in the office, a trend echoed globally.

Strict policies have created dissatisfaction without significantly changing work patterns. In contrast, the workplaces drawing people back are those that feel like destinations, blending work, leisure, and lifestyle into a single, connected precinct.

Surveying 3000 office workers across Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the UK, the US, and for the first time, South Korea, the research found that office attendance is significantly higher in premier buildings offering amenities beyond the work floor. These include wellness spaces, green terraces, quality dining, and nearby cultural or retail offerings.

The findings highlight that the basics, such as good meeting spaces, reliable tech, and comfortable work areas, are just the starting point. The most attractive workplaces go further, providing convenience such as great coffee, showers, and bike facilities, as well as experiences like gardens, on-site fitness, and curated social events. Clear RTO policies paired with meaningful incentives, such as bonuses or travel allowances, work best when the space itself is worth the commute.

According to Hassell’s Head of Research, Dr. Daniel Davis, the results confirm that rules alone do not bring people back to the office. Stricter policies have not shifted attendance and have instead harmed morale.

“Our research shows that simply mandating people back to the office doesn’t work —stricter policies haven’t shifted attendance, and they have damaged morale. What does work is giving employees a choice and creating workplaces worth the commute,” he says.

“In Australia, we found that attendance was 15% higher in companies that had recently renovated or upgraded their spaces. It’s clear that good design is an important component in driving a return to the office.”

What influences behaviour more strongly is the combination of choice and workplaces that offer more than just a desk. Companies that have recently renovated or upgraded their spaces recorded 15% higher attendance, indicating that good design is a significant factor in encouraging a return to the office.

The research also revealed several broader patterns. Companies that invested in design and equipment upgrades saw stronger employee engagement, with 15% higher attendance levels. In premier office spaces, 40% of workers preferred being in the office rather than working remotely.

These high-quality buildings, which represent 29% of Australian offices, consistently reported greater satisfaction and attendance compared with average or low-quality spaces. Location played a crucial role as well, with premier offices more likely to be within a five-minute walk of cafés, restaurants, gyms, cultural destinations, and green spaces.

Mandates were shown to have little impact on behaviour. Stricter RTO policies had no effect on attendance and reduced satisfaction by 14%. Compliance was 41% lower when companies failed to explain their RTO policies, while financial incentives such as stipends, bonuses, or pay increases boosted compliance by 32%.

Despite the widespread implementation of mandates, Australian office attendance has remained flat year-on-year, with 52% of employees working five days a week in the office, a trend consistent with global patterns.

Overall, the findings demonstrate that autonomy and flexibility remain highly valued by employees. Workplaces that deliver pleasant, engaging, and well-amenitised experiences are the ones most likely to encourage consistent attendance.

Clear policies and meaningful incentives can support this, but they are most effective when combined with an environment that makes the commute worthwhile.

Image: Arup Brisbane, designed by Hassell / Jon Wright — Blank Canvas Photography

Clémence Carayol

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