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Sponda: Survey reveals: Presence at the office boosts learning and well-being
Survey reveals: Presence at the office boosts learning and well-being
Hybrid work has become firmly established in many companies, but what has its growing prevalence brought with it? And how does working remotely affect the well-being of employees? Our “Current State and Outlook of Office Work 2025” survey reveals that remote work alone is insufficient to sustain employee well-being, a sense of community and corporate culture. While flexibility is valued, weekly in-office work plays an important role, the significance of which may continue to grow in the years to come.
Today, working life increasingly requires cognitive skills such as complex problem solving, creativity, continuous learning and interaction with others. A clear message emerges from the responses of more than 1,180 office workers in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area who participated in the survey. Face-to-face encounters create something that doesn’t happen at video meetings.
According to the study, in-office work increases spontaneous interaction, collaborative brainstorming and social engagement, all of which are essential for well-being, creativity and the functioning of the work community functions. Informal conversations in the corridor during the working day, shared ideas and being surrounded by the work community support wellbeing and
strengthen the sense of belonging, both individually and organisationally.
Our goal was also to understand in more detail the direction in which Finnish office work is
developing and what kind of thoughts the topic is giving rise to right now. Based on the survey, nine claims about working life were formed. Fifteen respected and accomplished experts from various sectors of society commented on bold claims about working methods, success, workplace culture, office spaces and atmosphere. Among them were Professor and brain researcher Minna Huotilainen from the University of Helsinki and Frank Martela, Assistant Professor at Aalto University.
In-office work acts as a strong social glue in workplace communities
Most respondents visit the office at least three days a week and 73% of respondents feel that on-site work has a positive impact on their well-being. More than 80% say that meeting people face-to-face reinforces this effect. The break room is often seen as the most important space in the workplace. As many as 85% of respondents feel that shared moments and laughter at the office make working days more meaningful. 84% believe that on-site work strengthens team spirit, and 75% say the threshold is lower for asking for help face-to-face at the office.
On office days, almost three out of four respondents are more physically active and 57% say they take more breaks compared to working remotely. This supports both physical and mental coping. 75% of respondents feel that learning and development are also more emphasised at the office.
The location of the office is crucial: up to 93% of respondents consider it relevant. The most important factors are good public transport connections (87%) and diverse lunch and dining options (73%). Up to 68% also consider it important that the office day can be easily combined with other things, such as hobbies or meeting friends.
All in all, working in the office boosts well-being, creativity, and a sense of belonging by encouraging spontaneous chats, idea sharing, and social connection with the work community. See you at the office!
Marcus Reijonen, HR Director
Sponda Ltd
