The UK workforce is rewriting the rules of work. According to Owl Labs’ new 2025 State of Hybrid Work Report, employees are demanding not just flexible schedules but also meaningful use of technology, innovative benefits like the four-day week, and workplaces that respect autonomy.
The findings, based on a survey of 2,000 full-time UK employees, reveal a widening gap between traditional corporate expectations and what employees now consider table stakes for job satisfaction.
Flexibility as the New Currency of Work
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93% of UK workers say they would take action if their employer revoked hybrid or remote options.
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The top reason employees are looking for new jobs remains work-life balance (50%), up from 41% in 2023.
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Nearly half (44%) would outright reject a job that doesn’t offer flexible hours, an increase from 39% last year.
Flexibility is no longer just about working from home. Employees are reshaping how work fits into life:
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51% schedule personal appointments during work hours.
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67% are interested in microshifting—working in short bursts aligned to energy levels, particularly popular with Gen Z and Millennials.
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73% want a four-day work week, and employees say they’d trade on average 8% of their salary for it.
Workplace Resistance: Subtle Pushback Strategies Rise
Rigid mandates are being met with quiet rebellion. Owl Labs identifies a sharp rise in employee “pushback behaviors”:
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44% practice “work-to-rule,” doing only what’s outlined in their contracts.
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33% admit to “taskmasking,” appearing busy without meaningful output.
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35% block off calendar time to avoid meetings.
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44% engage in “coffee badging,” showing face at the office for a few hours before heading home—up from 23% in 2023.
Even meeting times are under scrutiny: 79% of employees say meetings after 4:30 pm are too late, reinforcing the demand for non-linear workdays.
Office Presence: Still Desired, But on New Terms
While 45% of employees worry about being forced back full-time, the majority (74%) favor hybrid work. Only 15% want to be in the office every day.
That said, employees recognize the benefits of in-person work:
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79% see RTO mandates as attempts to strengthen company culture.
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78% acknowledge they boost leadership visibility.
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77% link them to collaboration.
The message is clear: employees still want meaningful office connection—but on their terms.
Technology and AI Power the Flexible Era
Employees overwhelmingly agree that technology underpins flexibility:
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89% say access to reliable tech is critical, second only to pay and supportive managers.
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This year, 42% of organizations introduced AI tools, 38% boosted IT support, and 35% upgraded meeting spaces.
AI adoption is accelerating rapidly:
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87% of employees use AI at work, compared to 68% in 2024.
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Managers lead the charge at 93%, versus 62% of non-managers.
“Employees want technology that simply works, no matter where they are or who they’re working with,” said Frank Weishaupt, CEO of Owl Labs. “The most successful organizations are building flexible ecosystems powered by intuitive hardware, software, and AI.”
Bottom Line
Flexibility has moved from a perk to a workplace necessity. Employees are embracing hybrid models, rejecting rigid mandates, and leaning on technology to power a new era of work. Employers who resist risk attrition and disengagement. Those who adapt—by embracing flexible schedules, experimenting with four-day weeks, and investing in AI-powered collaboration—will retain top talent and stay competitive.
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