With the UK slowly starting to get back to the office, but some of us still working from home, co-working office network, Bruntwood Works have researched into what our work environment means to us.

In February, according to the ONS we spent (on average) 33.9 hours in the office pre-lockdown compared to the 31.2 hours through March and May. In some cases, this can be even more time than we spend with our own families, so Bruntwood Works have run a survey to find out how much we really value the office in hindsight of lockdown.
Key findings:
- 29% of office workers say they miss the people the most about office life
- 66% of office workers consider their colleagues as family
- 45-54 year olds missed the work the least at just 4.6% of them admitting to it.
- Millennials and Gen Zers are missing the office environment the most.
What do office workers miss most about the office?
When asked what they miss most about the office, 29% of office workers said they miss the people the most.
What do you miss the most about the office? | |||
The People | The Environment | The Work | Other |
29% | 7.4% | 3.6% | 65% |
Age Group Analysis
The survey targeted a range of different age groups, but it was interesting to see which element of the office different age groups missed the most. The results showed that 55-64 year olds missed the work itself the most.
What do you miss the most about the office? | |||
The People | The Environment | The Work | |
18-24 | 17% | 22.4% | 5.2% |
25-34 | 18.9% | 19.9 | 19.6 |
35-44 | 18.9 | 19.9 | 24.7% |
45-54 | 24.3% | 22.5% | 4.6% |
55-64 | 20.9% | 15.3% | 45.9% |
Do we consider our colleagues family?
As we spend so much time at work, some office environments feel more like a family than a workplace, so Bruntwood asked the question to see if there is proof in the pudding.
Would you say that your office environment is like a family? | ||
Yes | No | Other |
66% | 33.10% | 0.06% |
Female vs Male
Women appear to consider their work colleagues as family more than men do.
Would you say that your office environment is like a family? | ||
Yes | No | |
Female | 61.2% | 54.9% |
Male | 38.8% | 45.1% |
Do we see or talk to our colleagues outside of work?
A whopping 70% of people surveyed said that they see or talk to their colleagues outside of work, showing that the office is the hub for many friendships.
Do you see or talk to your co-workers outside of work? | ||
Yes | No | Other |
70.7% | 27.8% | 1.5% |
Female vs Male
It also appears that women are 58% more likely than men to consider their coworkers as family.
Do you see or talk to your co-workers outside of work? | ||
Yes | No | |
Female | 63.2% | 51% |
Male | 36.8% | 49% |
Do we meet our close friends at work?
To find out if the office really is the hub of friendships, Bruntwood asked the question:
Did you meet any of your close friends at work? | |
Yes | No |
56.6% | 43.5% |