It has become expensive to work in the office

Fresh data from SL shows that the number of daily commuters continues to rise. But here’s the real question — are we going back to the office because we want to, or because we have to?

Wait a minute… is this post also going to be about hybrid work? Yawn.

Yep. But don’t worry — I promise to avoid repeating the same things (as much as possible).

Even though the pandemic isn’t completely over, it’s “kind of over.” I’m not sure what Anders Tegnell or Agnes Wold would say about that “kind of over” statement, but don’t take my word for it either way.

Here’s the situation: offices have reopened, and many companies want their employees back on site — some full time, others part time.

Whether employees want to return is another story entirely.

A recent survey found that 64% of respondents are either planning to or already considering switching jobs to one that offers hybrid work if their current employer doesn’t allow remote work.

But that’s not the whole picture.

It’s not necessarily that people dislike being in the office — it’s that, excuse my French, it’s gotten ridiculously expensive.

That’s right. Being in the office costs money now.

If you’re an employer, listen closely… useful knowledge incoming.

Rising costs are “forcing” people to stay home

Almost everything gets more expensive each year. Take SL’s monthly transit pass — it’s gone up 20% since 2016, and in 2022 alone it rose by another 30 SEK.

That might sound minor, but when you add it to everything else, it starts to make a difference. For some, simply going to work is becoming too costly.

And not everyone can take public transport. Many rely on cars, and fuel prices have skyrocketed.

In short: commuting has become more expensive.

What else?

Interest rates are up. Just as I started writing this, Stefan Ingves’ familiar voice came on at a press conference announcing Sweden’s first positive interest rate since 2014.

On top of that, food prices have gone up — meaning lunch costs more whether you eat out or bring a packed meal.

And let’s not forget work clothes. Some companies still have dress codes, and after two years of remote work, people have saved plenty by not having to buy office outfits.

Some of this is easy to fix. Other parts — not so much.

Bring your lunchbox, for starters. It’s not a human right to eat out every day.

But in general, life is more expensive. And people have gotten used to the comfort and savings of working from home — no commuting, no lunches out, no new clothes to buy.

It’s a fact.

If you force your employees back to the office full-time, I can almost guarantee you’ll lose. Because as the survey shows, not everyone wants to return — and for many, it’s simply too costly.

Different generations, different expectations

Frustrated? I get it.

I’m also a fan of the office — I love meeting people, drinking coffee, hanging out with colleagues. But I also want the freedom to work from my summer house when I feel like it. That’s just how it is.

And, as with everything else, different generations think differently.

The youngest employees are the most resistant to returning to the office, and as one study put it:

“Companies need to move beyond catered lunches and ping pong tables to get young people back to the office.”

Meaning and belonging don’t come from free food and ping pong tables.

To attract younger generations, you need a company culture that creates real value — through mentorship, team building, and accessible leaders who actively support and develop their teams.

Do you have to?

Yes. Because if you don’t, someone else will.

You’re standing at a crossroads:

Build a hybrid workplace that takes all of this into account
Or risk losing valuable talent because of it

Your choice.

Take a hint from Airbnb

If you need an example to help you decide, look no further than Airbnb.

The company recently announced a new policy allowing employees to work from anywhere — with no pay cuts, as long as they stay based in the U.S.

That’s what modern flexibility looks like.

The keys to a successful hybrid workplace

If you’ve read this far, good job.

You’ve already realized that the pre-pandemic office model belongs to a different era. It’s the dinosaur in this story.

Now it’s time to be modern, flexible, and genuinely employee-friendly.

You understand that it’s more expensive for your staff to be in the office — and that if you want to attract (and keep) great people, you need to create an incredible workplace.

And yes, that workplace is hybrid.

So, what do you need?

Quite a few things, actually:

The right digital tools
A solid understanding of internal communication
Awareness of generational differences on your team
Respect for work-life balance and smart strategies for asynchronous communication
And, of course, a stimulating work environment

Is it hard?

No.

Should you do it now?

Absolutely.

Because if you don’t make the shift to a modern hybrid workplace soon, you’ll fall behind — and attracting the right candidates will become nearly impossible.

Does it all sound a bit overwhelming?

Don’t worry.

We’re here to help.

Talk to us, and we’ll guide you through the jungle of digital communication — step by step.

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