Almost two-thirds of HR professionals say their companies are not actively considering increasing onsite attendance in 2026, according to a new survey from business group Ibec.
The HR Update Report shows that the hybrid model of three days on-site remains the dominant working arrangement, favoured by 31% of respondents.
It is closely followed by full-time on-site working arrangements, which is the model used by 30% of companies, while 18% said staff must work on-site at least two days a week.
The survey of over 391 HR professionals found that here has been a decline in companies citing remote and hybrid work as a barrier to attracting and retaining employees, falling from 52% in 2024 to 46% in 2025.
Since the introduction of the Work Life Balance Act in March 2024, 16% of companies have seen an increase in applications to work from home.
“On hybrid and remote working, the survey evidence points towards the stabilising impact of established workplace norms, with office attendance patterns better understood and adaptive to the needs of both employers and employees,” said Maeve McElwee, Executive Director of Employer Relations at Ibec.
“When you look at the high number of companies not planning to change their office attendance policies, as well as the relatively low number of employees formally requesting to work from home, it suggests that the tension around remote and hybrid work is not as intense as often perceived- and, in most cases, is working for both employers and employees,” Ms McElwee said.
The survey also shows that just 37% of organisations anticipate increasing headcount in 2026, continuing a three-year downward trend.
When it comes to pay, 85% of organisations increased basic pay by an average of 3.6% in 2025.
Four-fifths of respondents said they plan to increase pay in 2026, with the average increase moderating to 3.1%.
According to the report, nearly seven in ten HR professionals say their organisation currently offers an occupational pension scheme to employees, with 39% allowing access without any eligibility criteria.
With the planned introduction of pension auto-enrolment, 30% of organisations say their voluntary pension scheme will become mandatory.
The most significant concern for employers is the cost of employer contributions, followed by the administrative burden of managing multiple pension schemes.
The survey also reveals that just 1% of organisations say they feel fully prepared for the upcoming EU Pay Transparency Directive, due to take effect in June 2026.
According to the study, 54% of employers have established or are developing AI workplace policies.
Ibec will launch the latest HR Update Report today at its annual HR Leadership Summit.
Article Source – Majority of companies not planning to increase in-office days – survey
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