While the majority of UK businesses believe that adopting a hybrid working approach has boosted their people’s productivity and wellbeing, many are still keen for workers to return to the office more frequently.

This is according to the latest Business Outlook Tracker from Grant Thornton UK, which surveyed 607 mid-sized businesses across the UK, finding that almost three quarters (71%) are currently using a hybrid working approach.

In Scotland, this figure drops to 37% of business adopting a hybrid working model at the moment.

Surveyed UK businesses expressed a range of positive outcomes from their adoption of a hybrid working model, with 83% saying that it had boosted productivity, with the same amount saying they believed it positively impacted their worker’s wellbeing.

Further, 86% believe that their workers prefer a hybrid working approach, with 85% thinking this model is beneficial for their business.

In Scotland, 95% of businesses adopting a hybrid model believe it has boosted productivity, with 100% believing that it has positively impacted worker wellbeing.

Despite these benefits, the majority (85%) of these respondents are still keen that their people spend more time in the office than they are currently.

This may be due to a recognition that in-person interactions can often be more beneficial for specific activities – in fact, over three quarters (78%) of the UK businesses who are currently adopting a hybrid approach say that it is impacting their ability to provide adequate support and development for younger or trainee employees.

Still, it is difficult in the current market to defend this stance, as many workers, particularly in tech, have hybrid or flexible working options as a dealbreaker for a new job. Further, renting an office space is no small expense.

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“A blended approach to in-office working and working from home has become an established way of operating for many organisations since the pandemic,” Richard Waite, people and culture director and head of talent and recruitment, Grant Thornton, UK, said.

“Employees tend to see this as a significant benefit – valuing the flexibility it offers and the ability to better balance professional and personal commitments.

“In turn, many businesses have also seen a boost to their employees’ wellbeing and productivity but recognise that the need for in-person interaction and connectivity has not gone away with some activity, such as training and development or group collaboration, still requiring that in-person, human element.

“For many businesses, finding the right balance that works for their business, their people, and their clients or customers, needs careful time and consideration.

“It’s important to ensure that both they and their people can benefit from the opportunities a hybrid and more flexible working approach can offer, while still ensuring that critical business needs are met and that specific groups of people within the organisation, such as newer or early in their career employees, are not disadvantaged.