Property companies 'research' says everyone wants to return to office

Bits_n_Bobs

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/work/2025/05/09/return-to-office-gen-z-work-hybrid/

The 'paper of record' happily publishing articles based on 'research' that has been paid for by companies (JLL, Cushman & Wakefield, IWG) with a clear agenda for wanting the commercial property sector to keep ticking along. If this is really the best 'mainstream' media can do to counter 'fake news'?

poop emoji

If one is in their 20s or just new to a company and just starting off then yes being in office more often is invaluable

But the whole article does read like a paid advertisement for property companies trying to talk up empty office spaces which must be hurting

SuperBowserWorld

...

z80CPU

Yeah bit praiseworthy of Gen Z considering Gen Z are not seen in overly positive light in countries like Japan!

Bit off the point but way back when, the Irish Times had a journalist by the name of Christine Murphy. Ms Murphy was apparently the advocate for leaving cert and third level applicants. Deceased some years. Would regale the high achieving leaving cert students every August.

Backstreet Moyes

It is the complete opposite to almost everyone I work with and friends in other companies think.

ancapailldorcha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123431396#Comment_123431396

I agree with this. It's definitely beneficial for people starting out to have better access to sueprvisors and mentors but that doesn't mean there can't be flexibility.

Otherwise, this just reeks of the Alan Sugars of the world whining about their bottom lines and being dishonest about it to boot.

Backstreet Moyes

I mostly work from home and if someone new joined our team I would happily go in everyday for a few weeks to get them up to speed and introduce myself and provide help.

But most companies like mine you are mostly working with people in other countries.

My manager and everyone I work with on my team is in the US.

I have never met them in person and through all the available technology I got up to speed relatively quickly.

You don't need these days to be in the office to get upto speed on a new team.

Oscar_Madison

Hogwash - blended working - mostly at home but 1-2 days office is best - fulltime 5 days a week is ridiculous for many jobs that just don’t need that level of workplace attendance.

But can anyone explain to me Dublin traffic? There are definitely 1000s working from home now - so why is Dublin traffic so god dam awful? Way worse than Feb 2020.

Dial Hard

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432000#Comment_123432000

My theory is that because most people are only in a couple of days a week, they're prepared to take the hit on parking, and drive in.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432032#Comment_123432032

Didn’t think of that - you might be on to something alright

Markus Antonius

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123431701#Comment_123431701

I don't know, I love sitting in 2 hours of traffic a day, especially in the fine weather we've been having lately.

I'll make sure my next employer puts it in my contact that I am to be on-site everyday....

Deeec

If businesses want the best people working for them then they have to offer home based or blended options. Otherwise the good people will leave or won't accept the job offer.

I seen this happen with my employer - he won't learn though. Still wants new starters to be office based 5 days per week in Dublin when they could literally work from anywhere! I've seen brilliant people leave because of this. He's a fool paying huge rent for a larger office than what he actually needs.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432000#Comment_123432000

Lots of places gone back full time. Even those hybrid you can see the effect on traffic Tues-Thurs.

Also public transport and other options are getting higher priority than cars. Cars had almost 100% of the road in 2020. No longer.

The only way not to be stuck in traffic is not to be traffic. Harsh but true.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123431396#Comment_123431396

Lots of places say that. But do they actually mentor people in the office or is it lip service.

Cluedo Monopoly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432750#Comment_123432750

The workforce has grown from approx 2.3m in 2019 to 2.8m today. It dropped to 2.2m in 2020.

poop emoji

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432770#Comment_123432770

I go in once in a while for team events and more often when get someone new, and when planning new projects (whiteboard is best invention ever!)

But after few months there’s no need to go in as often as everyone is more productive being remote and not have pointless meetings

Was like this well before covid

PokeHerKing

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432000#Comment_123432000

Somewhere in the region of a 500k increase in population between those two timepoints.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432785#Comment_123432785

Yes but how much of the workforce is remote for at least a few days. There's a night and difference between Mon/Friday and rest of the week. Has a huge impact on traffic. And numbers on PT.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432750#Comment_123432750

Between that and the population increase and simply people paying for parking once a week as that’s all they’re doing from an office perspective - yeah probably right

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432826#Comment_123432826

They aren't all working though. Or commuting. Need to look at the commuting figures.

PokeHerKing

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432867#Comment_123432867

500k extra people is 500k extra people. It's going to be the biggest factor in traffic being heavier imo.

College, school, work, etc will all be contributing to traffic.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432885#Comment_123432885

Certainly new traffic layouts across the city are creating new bottle necks- it’s fcking impossible to get out of town quickly after 3pm no matter where you’re travelling to

Infoanon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058409345/property-companies-research-says-everyone-wants-to-return-to-office

It's an article originally from the Financial Times in the UK btw,

The Reform party have recently made noises about ending working from home, ironically the same party are currently offering employment opportunities....,remote working....

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432898#Comment_123432898

The idea is to discourage driving...

Noworries!

Love WFH, as does everyone I work with, I'd definitely have to reevaluate if it was stopped or even curtailed currently doing 2 office, 3 WFH. Enjoy the time in the office, but find myself more productive at home.

BlueSkyDreams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432032#Comment_123432032

Public transport would still be cheaper though, provided it gets you from A to B.

BlueSkyDreams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432826#Comment_123432826

Greater Dublin hasnt increased by anywhere near that amount in 5 years. 100k people, possibly.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432885#Comment_123432885

But it's not 500k. Probably only about half that can work.

MisterAnarchy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058409345/property-companies-research-says-everyone-wants-to-return-to-office

Par for the course now Im afraid.

Mainstream papers publishing propaganda and lies.

Almost nobody wants to go back to the office.

PokeHerKing

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432979#Comment_123432979

Yes 500k is national increaae. 130k for Dublin.

PokeHerKing

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432987#Comment_123432987

You realise there's more than just workers contribute to traffic?