Employee return-to-office complaints revealed, with commuting named biggest annoyance

Commuting is the biggest annoyance for the employees who are now starting to return to the office, a new nationwide survey has revealed.

The Back to Office Report, from Just Eat for Business, surveyed the nation’s office workers to discover how organisations are currently operating – whether they’re in-office, remote or hybrid – and reveals employee attitudes towards returning to the office.

The survey also includes a comparison of how organisations were operating this time last year versus now, and found that almost half of the businesses surveyed (49%) have seen at least the majority of their workforce return to the office.

For employees who are now starting to go back into the office – whether through choice or because their employer has enforced it – the primary annoyance with doing so came out as commuting, with 37% of those surveyed saying it’s what they least enjoy about returning.

This makes sense, as when working from home, employees don’t struggle with commuting costs or transport timetables – and may even have had a better work/life balance as a result.

Recent data from the Office for National Statistics suggests that the average commute in the UK is just under an hour per day (28 minutes per way), which doesn’t account for any travel disruptions or delays.

Furthermore, increasingly more companies hired further afield during the pandemic, with these workers now required to commute for long periods in order to attend the office.

Other issues employees had with returning to the office came out as reduced flexibility with routine (18%) – especially among pet owners and parents – and being involved with office politics again (16%) as a result of increased socialisation in the workplace.

Furthermore, 1 in 10 take issue with working hours associated with returning to the office (11%), as well as using communal spaces again, and 7% of those surveyed were annoyed at attending more meetings as a result of being back in the office.

Rosie Hyam, People Partner at Just Eat for Business, commented on the report, saying: “Regardless of how teams are working – whether it’s in the office, at home, or a hybrid solution – it’s essential to take regular breaks to reduce stress, and address any concerns.

“Given the emphasis currently being placed on health and wellbeing, it’s important that employers and employees prioritise sustainable and healthy working habits – including leaving work issues at the office door, and setting time aside to socialise with colleagues.”

On a positive note, over a third (37%) of those surveyed felt that their company culture had grown to be more positive as a result of returning to work.