It’s official, we’ve lost the remote work lie-in

Remote employees could soon be in for a rude wake-up call. According to new data, Brits are getting out of bed earlier, in what seems to be a sign that forced return to office (RTO) mandates have been successful at UK workplaces.

Data from Virgin Media O2 analysed data from its mobile network to see how our morning behaviours have changed. It appears the nation is winding its alarm clocks forward. In 2024, morning traffic began to rise rapidly from 6:20am, fifteen minutes earlier than in 2020.

Despite protests from employees, many businesses have rolled out RTO policies this year due to concerns about the UK’s productivity crisis. But will a return to the office really lead to greater productivity? Or are CEOs simply fostering a sleep-deprived workforce?

Return to the commute?

Speaking to The Times, sleep expert Professor Russell Foster described the data as a positive sign that more of us are taking the health benefits of sleep seriously. 

However, the Virgin Media O2 report suggests that another culprit behind our newfound love of early mornings may in fact be RTO mandates. 

Using anonymised and aggregated data from O2’s mobile network, the report found that commuting increased in 2024. Around 48% of Brits now head to their workplace five days a week, and Wednesday has become the most popular day of the week to travel in.

Being able to miss out on the daily commute has been one of the key benefits that remote or hybrid employees cite when it comes to flexible working arrangements. 

The latest government data shows that it took an average of 27 minutes for employees to travel into work in 2022. When doubled to account for the journey home, this means full-time office workers would spend almost a full day per month in cars or on bikes, buses, or trains.

Perhaps in preparation for the daily grind, the Virgin Media O2 data shows that bedtimes have also shifted forwards. In 2024, the majority of Brits began switching off their mobile phones from 9:20pm. That’s compared to 9:40pm in the first year of the pandemic.

The pressure to clock in

The findings suggest that bosses are being stricter about clocking in. While many employees have embraced flexible work schedules (swapping a 9am start for a 10am start, for example) this earlier rise suggests some workers are arriving at the office before they would like.

Some large employers, including Google and BT Group have said publicly that they will use badge ‘tap-in’ data to monitor staff attendance. Others, including Dell, have linked presence in the office to employee performance reviews and potential promotions.

These stricter RTO policies could be fostering competition among staff, and putting pressure on them to come into work ahead of their colleagues.

Ditch the dark circles

While the new data suggests a renewed commitment to the crack of dawn commute, it’s crucial to question whether this increased office presence translates to greater productivity.

There’s a growing concern that a sole focus on physical attendance could invite presenteeism; stifling innovation, creativity, and overall job satisfaction. Remote work has proven to be a viable and effective model for many, offering greater work-life balance.

As businesses grapple with the future of work, we mustn’t fall back entirely into the rigidity of traditional 9-to-5. Staff need to feel empowered to fit personal commitments into their work schedule. Even Boots, which has ordered staff back into the office five days a week, acknowledged there “will of course still be times when working from home is necessary”.

By fostering a culture of trust, not timeliness, companies can harness the benefits of both in-office and remote work, ultimately leading to a more productive and engaged workforce (with smaller under eye bags).