According to a study of 2,000 London workers commissioned by London Heritage Quarter, four- and five-day weeks in the office are making a comeback for Gen Z as over half (57%) say they plan to increase their attendance in 2023 from the current three-day average.
In contrast, their older colleagues (aged 35+) agree that just one to two days in the office is their preference.
London’s vibrancy and character is the primary driver behind Gen Z’s office intentions, as having an office in a buzzy area (34%), cultural events nearby (34%) and nice outdoor spaces for lunch breaks (33%) were among the top reasons for people in this age bracket coming into the office.
This comes as over half (54%) admit they feel lonely and isolated at home, often going for hours without talking to anyone (61%) – indexing much higher than their older colleagues (38%, 56% respectively).
The research shows that it’s London’s premium experiences that are attracting young people back into the city. Gen Z respondents were more likely than any other age group to choose higher-quality places when it comes to going out (41%). Over a quarter (26%) save up and choose quality over quantity, but a further 15% admit they go out more often to more expensive and higher-quality places.
Going to the office is no different, with Gen Z twice as likely to treat themselves to nicer lunches (21%) or eat out in more expensive cafes/restaurants with colleagues (17%) than their older colleagues (11%, 8% respectively).