In the dark, cold days of winter, many employees opt to work from home, favouring comfort over the commute. Research from deskbird and YouGov confirms that winter significantly impacts workplace attendance, with concerns about health, daylight hours, and heating costs playing a major role. Rather than enforcing strict office policies, businesses can take a proactive approach—fostering social connection, enhancing workplace comfort, and offering flexibility—to make the office an inviting space even in the colder months.
Why employees stay home in winter
A survey of over 1,100 professionals in Germany sheds light on why winter makes remote work more appealing:
- Health concerns: 40% of employees cite flu and cold season as the primary reason for staying home.
- Lack of daylight: 32% say that early sunsets discourage commuting.
- Heating costs: 29% factor in office heating when deciding where to work, though 60% maintain their usual routine regardless of expenses.
Despite these deterrents, not everyone prefers isolation. In fact, 43% of respondents actively seek social interaction in the workplace during winter. This highlights a key opportunity for businesses: adapting the office to balance comfort, affordability, and engagement.
Making the office a winter destination
Rather than enforcing rigid attendance policies, companies should focus on making the office a more appealing place to work in winter. Here’s how:
1. Foster social connection
Since nearly half of employees value in-person engagement, workplaces should encourage social interactions. Simple initiatives such as winter-themed events, team lunches, or coffee mornings can turn the office into a space employees genuinely enjoy.
2. Prioritise comfort
A warm, inviting atmosphere can make all the difference. Employers can improve lighting to counteract early darkness, create cosy breakout areas, and even offer seasonal perks like free hot drinks. These small enhancements can help shift perceptions of the office from obligation to choice.
3. Offer flexibility
With some employees prioritising social interaction and others concerned about health or energy costs, a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work. Employers should tailor hybrid work policies to support both remote flexibility and in-office collaboration.
The business case for a winter-ready workplace
Employers who acknowledge seasonal challenges and adapt accordingly stand to benefit in multiple ways. A comfortable and engaging workplace not only boosts attendance but also enhances overall employee wellbeing and productivity.
Interestingly, while heating costs influence some decisions, 60% of workers say this factor doesn’t dictate where they work. This suggests that financial concerns are just one piece of the puzzle—workplace experience plays a crucial role in winter attendance.
Winter workation: A limited but growing trend
While escaping to warmer climates might seem like an appealing solution, only 15% of surveyed employees actually do so. Instead, 77% remain focused on adapting to their local conditions, reinforcing the need for workplaces to cater to seasonal needs rather than relying on external solutions.
Embracing seasonal change in the workplace
Winter doesn’t have to mean a disengaged workforce. Businesses that take a proactive approach—enhancing social connection, improving office comfort, and offering flexibility—can create a workplace employees actively choose over remote alternatives.
The challenge isn’t whether employees will work from home in winter—it’s whether the office can become an environment that is inviting enough to make them want to come in. With the right approach, employers can transform seasonal struggles into an opportunity for greater engagement and productivity.
Read the original article from deskbird here.You can meet deskbird in person at The Office Event where they’ll be exhibiting. The Office Event is a unique and timely trade show with free-to-attend content that offers a one-stop-shop for organisations who are rethinking their approach to workplace design, workplace experience and facilities management. Now in its second year, The Office will take place on 7th and 8th May 2025, at ExCel in London. Co-located with The Watercooler Event for the full 360-degree workplace culture and employee wellbeing experience. You can find out more here.
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