More than three quarters (76%) of financial services leaders across the UK are planning to increase office attendance in the next 12 months, according to new research from KPMG UK.
The survey of 150 leaders working across banking, insurance, asset and wealth management and private equity found that more than a third (37%) of those planning to increase attendance will expect employees to be in the office at least four days a week.
Financial services were a first mover in returning staff to the office post-pandemic, with some of the major investment banks being the first to vocalise a vision for a full office return. However, they also see the value of the hybrid working model, with more than half (58%) of UK financial services leaders saying it is a competitive opportunity for the sector; 20% of these say the opportunity is significant.
A separate study by KPMG into the working preferences of financial services employees found that just 10% want to work in the office full time. Despite differing locational working preferences, all age groups of employees said flexibility around hybrid working is important when choosing a job.
Karim Haji, Global and UK head of financial services at KPMG, said: “There is no one-size fits all approach to this and businesses are still trying to find the hybrid working sweet spot more than two years on from the pandemic.
“Leaders see the commercial value of hybrid working models, particularly when it comes to attracting and retaining talent, but they are still expecting greater office attendance in the coming months to retain collaboration with colleagues and clients. Leaders also have to balance regulatory and risk pressures as part of managing hybrid models, which will be a contributing factor for getting staff back into the office.
“What is important is that companies find the right balance that works for their business and their employees. This will ensure that the sector retains good people and fosters a collaborative, productive culture that is successful and competitive.”
Leaders are planning to track attendance in several ways. Almost 45% plan to monitor attendance through office card swipe systems, followed by 40% using timesheets and just under a third (29%) will install digital cameras.
