Nearly a third of businesses in Dublin now have their employees in the office three days a week, a survey by Dublin Chamber has revealed.
That represents an increase from the 27% recorded in the third quarter of last year and an increase from the 22% in the final three months of 2022.
It is the first time that the numbers in the office for three days has surpassed the numbers in for two days over that period.
The research found that just 22% of workers are in the office twice a week, down from 27% in the final quarter of 2022 and 28% in the third quarter of 2023.
39% of firms now have “core days” in the office, the data shows, up from 21% at the end of 2022.
Tuesday to Thursday are increasingly the main days that hybrid workers attend.
“These shifts indicate a clear trend towards more frequent in-office presence,” said Aebhric McGibney, Director of Public and International Affairs.
“This aligns with anecdotal conversations heard within Dublin Chamber’s roundtable discussions.”
“While the growing preference for increased office presence is evident, it is also important to note the sustained interest in workplace flexibility.”
Over one third of businesses are offering total flexibility to staff, the results also showed.
“Employers recognise the need for greater flexibility in working schedules to attract a wider pool of employees, including those living further away from their workplaces due to the lack of affordable housing in the City,” said McGibney.
“Employers also demonstrate a preference for having core days in place, providing a more structured framework to the working week and safeguarding work culture.”
In late 2022, almost one in four businesses saw the development of a Workplace Relations Commission Code of Practice on remote work and the Right to Request Remote Work as negative.
But in the latest survey, that has risen, with 31% now seeing it as unhelpful, even more pronounced among smaller businesses.
Elsewhere, the chamber’s latest Business Outlook Survey found housing remains the top priority this quarter for five out of every six businesses.
Poor public transport links ranks second, with two thirds of Dublin businesses selecting it as a top priority.
Nearly half outlined public safety as a top concern for them, with additional police ‘on the ground’ required, together with investment in civic space, better lighting, and cleaner streets, in order to improve safety.
From a transport point of view 42% of Dublin firms said MetroLink is their top priority and Luas expansion seen as the second most important issue.
Regarding sustainability, the survey found that more than half of businesses see grant applications as too complex.
