Bringing people back to the office

As businesses work to entice employees back to the office, some are looking beyond policies and incentives, focusing instead on a more fundamental factor - their office environment.

With low office attendance weakening company culture and fostering a disconnect, could a thoughtfully designed workspace be the key to making employees want to return and stay?

Hannah Bradley

Workplace Psychologist

Tuesday, 4th March 2025

6 minutes read time

About Hannah

The power of belonging in the workplace

Many workers still prefer the convenience of working from home (WFH) without the long commute and rigid schedule. So, for the office to compete, the workplace needs provide something WFH can’t - a sense of belonging.

Humans have a fundamental psychological need to belong. A sense of belonging is the feeling of being accepted and valued within a group, community or place, whether that's among friends, family or at work, with your company and coworkers. However, the lack of face to face interactions in remote work can create feelings of isolation and disconnect, making it harder for employees to build meaningful connections with their colleagues.

To foster this sense of belonging, companies often rely on engagement strategies and HR initiatives - but can the workplace itself play a significant role? An office is more than just a place to complete tasks; it shapes experiences, relationships and culture. When employees feel like an integral part of their team and company, the workplace becomes a space where people don’t just work - they connect, collaborate and thrive.

34% of employees are more likely to stay with their organisation and more than twice as engaged when they feel a strong sense of belonging.

From a desk and keyboard to an inviting, inspiring activity hub

How do you create an office that fosters a true sense of belonging? At Overbury we take a data driven approach. We measure both the physical aspects (how people use the space) and the psychological aspects (their experience in that space). Data is captured through robust methodologies, including observational studies, surveys and advanced analytics, ensuring that our insights are both scientific and actionable.

Evidence based design can transform the workplace into a space that actively nurtures employee belonging. This can take shape in many ways, such as:

Environments that naturally foster connection - well designed settings that encourage cross collaboration, spontaneous interaction and a sense of community.

Inclusive, flexible spaces - adaptable layouts that reflect diverse working styles, roles and needs.

Thoughtfully curated details - the choice of materials, lighting, lines of sight and biophilic elements all have a subtle influence.

Evidence based design at Chancery Lane, Manchester

High workplace belonging was linked to a

56% increase in job performance

75% reduction in sick days

Case study: how Certas brought the energy to the workplace

Case study: how Freeths recognised the value of connecting generations

While looking to attract and retain top talent in a competitive market, Certas Energy transformed its office into a flexible, inspiring space. Following a period of workplace engagement with employees and stakeholders, Overbury delivered a design proposal for a truly flexible workplace with a range of flexible settings promoting a working environment that allowed employees to work in a way that best suited their needs.

By flipping their workplace environment from a stale, desk heavy white space to a dynamic, flexible and inspiring environment Certas Energy experienced a 35% increase in attendance with their people feeling better connected to each other and the company values.

Legal firm Freeths found that experienced, senior colleagues were spending less time in the office, limiting collaboration and mentor opportunities for newer employees.

To bridge the gap, the company engaged teams in the redesign process, focusing on inclusivity, wellness and belonging.

The result? “We’ve had a noticeable increase in people coming into the office without mandating. The feedback has been amazing and we now have a space that people enjoy coming into and spending time in. It’s much easier to collaborate and work together, the new space just works for us” - Emma Lee, Office Manager, Freeths

It's no longer just about getting people back to the office - it's about giving them a reason to stay

While mandates and incentives may encourage a return to the office, long term success lies in creating spaces where employees genuinely belong. Thoughtful office design, one that balances functionality with psychology, can transform the workplace from a requirement into a destination. As companies like Certas Energy and Freeths have shown, environments that foster belonging lead to measurable improvements in key business outcomes including increased days in the office.