The Dynamic Workplace: From hybrid to human-centred 

  • Oct. 29, 2025

Research published in April 2025 revealed a concerning statistic: 

only 10% of UK workers feel engaged in their roles and 17% feel lonely and isolated. Yet they’re also resistant to return-to-office mandates, with only 42% indicating they would comply.  

10% feel engaged, 17% feel lonely, 42% would comply with return-to-office mandates

 

To square this circle and shore up retention, companies are pivoting away from remote working and towards the creation of human-centred spaces. The goal is to draw people in and foster a sense of belonging, nurturing wellbeing and performance in one.  

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This comes through loud and clear in Co-Creating Exceptional Workplaces, our deep dive into worldwide shifts in employee expectations and business priorities. Packed with valuable insights for our UK clients, this comprehensive report shares global benchmarks along with practical suggestions for sidestepping the retention crisis and creating productive, future-proof workplaces. 

Download our deep dive Co-Creating Exceptional Workplaces

Turning wasted space into the place to be…

To tackle rising cost pressures and dwindling productivity, UK employers are bringing people back to the office. But while improving occupancy boosts efficiency, retention and engagement rely on something deeper. Our report reveals that employees need more than a desk and a salary to work at their best; they need a workplace experience that makes them feel connected, supported and in control. 

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Here’s a quick summary of the emerging global themes that can help UK employers to plan ahead: 

What employees want: 3 top trends 

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1 Flexibility  

From flexible hours to fluid spaces, adaptable schedules and on-demand services, today’s employees crave freedom and autonomy. They want time to focus, meet or share food on their terms, leaving the traditional working day behind.  

 

Room for in-the-moment decisions 
Our adaptable multi-use layouts release big results from small spaces, helping teams to step away from their desks and create, connect or unwind when the time is right for them.    

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2 Wellbeing  

In the last 12 months, UK employees were off sick for nearly two full working weeks on average, with poor mental health accounting for 41% of long-term absences. To turn the tide on absenteeism, our report shows that employers need a holistic approach.  

 

From workplace benefits to the working environment, employees expect companies to support both their physical and mental health. They want good indoor air quality, space to be active, time to learn and access to counselling. Most importantly, they want to be treated as individuals, which means things like ergonomic workstations, tailored career development and nutritious food that meets their personal health goals.

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3 Connection 

The need for human contact draws people into the workplace and boosts their well-being when they get there. In fact, our report shows that 65% of employees think that team interaction drives engagement. This means employers looking to increase occupancy and support wellbeing should factor good connections into the working day.  

Investing in the right place at the right time  

Before the pandemic, 52% of global employers were planning to prioritise the employee experience. Between 2021 and 2024, it was 92%. Yet rising occupancy cannot turn the tide on ill health and disengagement on its own. 

Our report identifies a shift in approach from employers:     

How companies are responding: 3 big bets

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1 Redesign 

Employers looking to control costs and boost productivity are thinking hard about the changes to come. Gen Z employees will soon drive the agenda, expecting enhanced support for wellbeing and a shared purpose at work. Companies are therefore redesigning for connection by reshaping layouts, services and experiences to suit a community-first approach.

Creating a London HQ that promotes social interaction

To encourage people back and keep the energy high, we transformed our HQ to support collaboration and quick connections. With fluid spaces, seamless AV and a warm welcome, occupancy and satisfaction rose within two weeks. 

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2 Co-creation

To keep pace with ever-changing employee expectations, employers are moving beyond surveys and feedback forms. Instead, they are taking data from their buildings – using sensors to control the environment – and having two-way conversations with their people, co-designing the workplace experience to make sure investment is well-targeted and cost-effective. 

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3 Sustainability

Three quarters of UK employees are unhappy with their employers’ lack of climate action. Yet our report shows that purpose-driven work environments foster stronger engagement. That’s why global employers are increasingly involving their people in sustainability activities, such as reducing waste and improving energy efficiency, to create a deeper connection to their mission and achieve their goals faster. 

Leading the way with like-minded employers

Through our Community of Practice, we bring together sustainability leaders from major clients and suppliers to share knowledge, foster collaboration and drive progress toward net-zero.

 

Finding alignment in the dynamic workplace  

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At Sodexo, we take a human-centred approach that strives for a natural synergy between people and buildings; a synergy that helps to attract and retain talent, reinforce belonging and drive operational efficiency. To deliver it, we manage the physical and experiential workplace together and track shifts in sentiment both over time and in real-time.  

Through global research that sets the benchmark for good practice and accurate data that enables employees to personalise their world, we create a dynamic workplace experience that keeps employees energised, supported and ready to do their best. 

Download our deep dive Co-Creating Exceptional Workplaces

Our whitepaper explores how employers can create workplaces that truly work for everyone. It highlights key priorities for both employees and employers worldwide, and how we can help bridge expectations to design flexible, people-centred spaces fit for the future workforce.

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