The Evolving Working Situation in Manchester: Home, Office, or Hybrid?

The way employees in Manchester work has undergone significant change over the last few years, with remote working, hybrid models, and traditional office-based work all competing for dominance. As the city emerged from the pandemic, many businesses and employees found themselves grappling with the question: What does the future of work look like?

Remote Work vs Office vs Hybrid: Current Trends

As of 2024, hybrid working remains the most common model for employees in Manchester. We recently held a survey across Manchester Young Professionals social channels, where we discovered that 71% of our 377 voters participate in some kind of hybrid working situation!

Remote work is still prevalent, but with only about 12% of young professionals working entirely from home. Meanwhile, around 18% of employees in Manchester are back in the office full-time – a number that has steadily increased from 13% in our 2022 survey, as businesses push for more in-person collaboration. 

Shifting Towards the Office

While hybrid working has dominated since the pandemic, the trend is shifting. More companies in Manchester, especially in industries like finance, legal, and tech, are encouraging employees to return to the office, at least part-time. A large part of this shift is driven by a desire to strengthen company culture and enhance innovation that can be harder to achieve remotely.

The Future of Work in Manchester

Looking ahead, it seems that hybrid work is here to stay, but the balance is shifting toward more in-office time. Employees are increasingly expected to be in the office a few days a week, especially as businesses prioritise face-to-face collaboration. The office is being redefined, moving away from traditional desks and towards dynamic, collaborative spaces.

While remote work was the dominant model post-pandemic, hybrid work is now the preferred choice for the majority of Manchester workers. However, with more companies encouraging employees to return to the office part-time, the trend is gradually moving towards a greater emphasis on in-person collaboration, blending flexibility with the benefits of office engagement.