Over the past few years, hybrid and remote working became the norm across industries in South Africa, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and global digital transformation. But as we progress through 2025, a notable shift is underway: many companies – especially in the tech, finance, and retail sectors are moving away from hybrid models and calling employees back to the office full time. This reversal has sparked debate about productivity, culture, and the future of work in South Africa.
The Return-to-Office Trend: What’s Driving It?
1. Declining Productivity and Accountability Concerns
While remote work offered initial productivity boosts, some employers report a gradual decline over time. Missed deadlines, meeting fatigue, and reduced cross-functional collaboration have raised questions about long-term remote effectiveness. In sectors where output is measurable, such as call centres and support services, companies noticed performance plateaus or dips that prompted a reassessment.
2. Rebuilding Company Culture and Collaboration
Company culture has suffered in many organisations with prolonged hybrid setups. Informal learning, mentorship, and team bonding are harder to replicate virtually. Employers are citing the erosion of culture, teamwork, and spontaneous creativity as a key reason for re-establishing physical office presence.
“Culture is not something you can fully cultivate over Zoom,” says a Johannesburg-based HR director at a leading tech firm. “Face-to-face interactions build trust faster and deepen collaboration.”
3. Security, Compliance, and Infrastructure
For heavily regulated industries like finance, banking, and healthcare, remote work introduces risks—especially when employees access sensitive data on home networks. Several South African companies are prioritising data protection, opting to centralise operations where infrastructure and compliance can be tightly controlled.
4. Real Estate and Investment Justification
Large firms with long-term leases and owned properties are eager to maximise their office investments. In Cape Town and Sandton, some companies are reinvesting in office upgrades and flexible shared spaces to make the return more appealing and justify prior real estate expenses.
5. Economic Pressure and Cost Optimisation
While remote work saves on overhead, it also leads to hidden costs: IT support, software licensing, mental health services, and inconsistent connectivity. As the South African economy faces inflationary pressures, companies are refocusing on control and efficiency – something many believe is better achieved within structured office environments.
Employee Pushback and the Balance Debate
However, not everyone is on board. Younger employees and tech professionals accustomed to flexible hours argue that full-time office mandates are outdated and hurt work-life balance. In a recent survey by Careers24, 61% of South African respondents said they would consider changing jobs if forced back to the office permanently.
This tension has forced some companies to adopt “flexi-office” models where employees are required to come in for specific days or meetings but are given leeway on others. It’s a compromise, but one that’s becoming less common among firms prioritising uniformity.
Will Full-Time Office Work Dominate?
Not entirely. While a growing number of companies are enforcing return-to-office policies, others – especially startups, digital-first businesses, and global companies with distributed teams continue to embrace remote-first models. For them, access to wider talent pools, reduced office costs, and modern cloud infrastructure make remote work a competitive advantage.
South Africa’s workplace evolution is far from over. The return to full-time office work reflects deeper organisational concerns around culture, productivity, and sustainability. But success will depend on how companies balance operational needs with employee expectations in a world forever changed by remote work.
For now, it’s clear: the office isn’t dead… it’s just being redefined!
