Is the 9-5 really dead? What employees want in 2026
Jan 2026
Over the past few years, expectations have shifted dramatically around what a typical work day looks like. Employees want the flexibility and autonomy that comes from flexible working times and places and consequently the traditional 9-5 work day is no longer the norm.
At Collaborate Works, we’ve seen how these changes are reshaping modern offices. The days of rigid schedules and fixed desks are changing. People value the freedom to manage their time, whether that means blending office and remote work or adjusting start and finish hours to fit life outside the office. Flexibility is allowing employees to work in ways that suit both themselves and the team.
Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics show that 28 % of working adults in Great Britain were in hybrid work arrangements between January and March 2025, meaning they split time between home and the office. This continues a long-term shift away from exclusive office-based roles. Globally, hybrid and flexible models are increasingly dominant. In other surveys, 54 % of employees preferred hybrid work as their top choice, with only around 20 % favouring full-time office work. And a majority of managers (around 70 %) believe hybrid or remote setups have increased team productivity. This data demonstrates that where work happens isn’t just a place we go out of habit.
The meaning of work still matters, but workers today want to feel that their contribution links to larger organisational goals. They want autonomy in how they complete their tasks and environments
(physical or virtual) that support both collaboration and focus.
A supportive culture, not strict schedules, is increasingly what drives engagement and purpose. Flexibility itself is often tied to wellbeing: in broader surveys, flexible work options are ranked above pay increases for many employees when considering job satisfaction and mental health.
Despite the rise of remote and hybrid work, the office still has an important role to play, though its purpose has shifted. Rather than being a place where employees are expected to sit at a desk from 9 - 5, modern workplaces are evolving into hubs for collaboration and ommunity. Thoughtful design and clear policies now matter more than ever: offices that offer a combination of quiet areas for focused work and informal spaces for spontaneous collaboration can support a wide range of working styles. In practice, hybrid schedules allow employees to come into the office when it adds the most value, rather than simply following a fixed routine.
This shift is reflected in broader workplace trends. Job postings increasingly list hybrid expectations as standard, with many roles now requiring two to three days on site per week, signalling that the office is no longer obsolete but has been strategically redefined.
At Collaborate Works, we design workplaces that support both focus and connection, shaped around how people truly work today. With hybrid schedules and flexible office options becoming the norm, the right environment can make a real difference to team performance and engagement. Thinking about your workspace in this way helps ensure your office supports your people and the way your business operates.
At Collaborate Works, we’ve seen how these changes are reshaping modern offices. The days of rigid schedules and fixed desks are changing. People value the freedom to manage their time, whether that means blending office and remote work or adjusting start and finish hours to fit life outside the office. Flexibility is allowing employees to work in ways that suit both themselves and the team.
Hybrid and flexible work are now mainstream
Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics show that 28 % of working adults in Great Britain were in hybrid work arrangements between January and March 2025, meaning they split time between home and the office. This continues a long-term shift away from exclusive office-based roles. Globally, hybrid and flexible models are increasingly dominant. In other surveys, 54 % of employees preferred hybrid work as their top choice, with only around 20 % favouring full-time office work. And a majority of managers (around 70 %) believe hybrid or remote setups have increased team productivity. This data demonstrates that where work happens isn’t just a place we go out of habit.
Purpose and wellbeing
The meaning of work still matters, but workers today want to feel that their contribution links to larger organisational goals. They want autonomy in how they complete their tasks and environments
(physical or virtual) that support both collaboration and focus.
A supportive culture, not strict schedules, is increasingly what drives engagement and purpose. Flexibility itself is often tied to wellbeing: in broader surveys, flexible work options are ranked above pay increases for many employees when considering job satisfaction and mental health.
The office isn’t dead - it’s reimagined
Despite the rise of remote and hybrid work, the office still has an important role to play, though its purpose has shifted. Rather than being a place where employees are expected to sit at a desk from 9 - 5, modern workplaces are evolving into hubs for collaboration and ommunity. Thoughtful design and clear policies now matter more than ever: offices that offer a combination of quiet areas for focused work and informal spaces for spontaneous collaboration can support a wide range of working styles. In practice, hybrid schedules allow employees to come into the office when it adds the most value, rather than simply following a fixed routine.
This shift is reflected in broader workplace trends. Job postings increasingly list hybrid expectations as standard, with many roles now requiring two to three days on site per week, signalling that the office is no longer obsolete but has been strategically redefined.
So, is the 9 - 5 dead?
The traditional 9 - 5 workday isn’t completely extinct, but it is no longer the default expectation for most employees. Hybrid work has become normal for a significant portion of the workforce and flexible hours, including the option to work remotely, are now major factors in job choice. Many employees are seeking alternatives to rigid schedules, such as flexi-time or even four-day workweeks. Evidence also shows that productivity and wellbeing improve when workers have control over when and where they work. Ultimately, what workers really want in 2026 isn’t the elimination of structure, but the freedom to shape their day around their lives, their peak energy patterns and the work that truly matters. Organisations that embrace this flexibility, both in policy and in the design of their workplaces, are better positioned to engage employees and support long-term performance.At Collaborate Works, we design workplaces that support both focus and connection, shaped around how people truly work today. With hybrid schedules and flexible office options becoming the norm, the right environment can make a real difference to team performance and engagement. Thinking about your workspace in this way helps ensure your office supports your people and the way your business operates.