A brand new report suggests the UK public sector is transferring sharply away from distant and hybrid working, regardless of indicators that the shift could possibly be undermining recruitment and retention. In response to the 2025 State of Digital report by Unit4, simply over half of UK public sector organisations now require workers to be absolutely office-based, in contrast with solely 7 p.c in 2023. The proportion working absolutely distant fashions has dropped from 37 p.c two years in the past to fifteen p.c, whereas hybrid preparations have fallen from 93 p.c to 49 p.c.
The findings point out a transparent return-to-office pattern, pushed by considerations over collaboration, price financial savings and knowledge safety. Nonetheless, in addition they spotlight rising challenges in attracting and retaining expertise. Almost 1 / 4 of UK respondents mentioned location mandates have been already making recruitment tougher, with comparable ranges reported globally. The power to recruit from a wider geographic space has been lower in half since 2023, whereas extra organisations admit they’re struggling to carry onto expert staff.
The UK pattern displays a world sample. Globally, 51 p.c of public sector organisations at the moment are absolutely office-based, in comparison with simply 13 p.c in 2023. Within the Netherlands, the determine has risen to 63 p.c, whereas Canada has maintained comparatively increased ranges of hybrid and distant work at 66 p.c.
Whereas the general course suggests extra restrictive working fashions, the report additionally highlights some constructive shifts. Fewer UK employers report difficulties find employees with the suitable expertise in comparison with 2023, and extra say they’re now in a position to recruit candidates with stronger technical experience.
The findings come as different analysis signifies resistance to strict return-to-office insurance policies. A research earlier this 12 months by King’s School London and King’s Enterprise College discovered widespread pushback towards necessary workplace attendance, elevating questions over whether or not present public sector insurance policies danger long-term workforce imbalances.
Unit4 warns that an rigid strategy might weaken the sector’s means to ship digital transformation. With nearly three-quarters of UK respondents anticipating to finish main change methods inside two years, organisations might must reassess their working fashions to stay aggressive in attracting expertise.
