Balancing workplace flexibility vs employee expectation
For many employees, workplace flexibility has become an expectation rather than a desirable perk. Yet as we begin 2026, HR teams find themselves navigating a delicate balance between offering their employees what they want, alongside productivity targets and organisational needs.
Our HR Trends in 2026, According to HR report shows that flexible working remains firmly in place across many organisations. Hybrid working, flexible hours and enhanced leave packages are now commonplace. Around 59% of UK employees now work on a hybrid basis, versus 55% in 2024. Yet at the same time, high-profile global companies continue to push to bring employees back into the office more of the time, if not full-time, which fuels the debates around performance, workplace culture, and fairness.
Where does HR sit on workplace flexibility?
The reality for many HR teams when it comes to workplace flexibility lies somewhere inbetween employee expectation and what’s possible according to business needs and goals.
Rather than a full return to pre-pandemic working models, 2026 looks set to favour more structured approaches to flexibility, which will require clearer expectations around office attendance, while still protecting employees’ choice and autonomy.
Our report showed that 45% of the HR professionals we surveyed expect their organisation to operate a hybrid working model this year, with more time spent in the office than at home.
An opportunity for HR
Offering a more structured policy around workplace flexibility presents both opportunity and challenge. Employees often report feeling more productive when working flexibly, while employers tend to see more value in face-to-face collaboration, visibility and connection that come from time spent together. HR’s role is to bridge that gap by designing frameworks that are fair, transparent and scalable.
When executed well, flexible working can boost wellbeing, engagement and retention. When mismanaged, it risks confusion, inequity and frustration on all sides.
Download the full HR Trends in 2026, According to HR report to explore how HR leaders expect workplace flexibility to evolve, and how they’re preparing for the next 12 months.
