The Urbanist Testing the pressure on our cities with the 2025 Workforce Preference Barometer
Nov 27, 2025
Sue Asprey Price, CEO of Work Dynamics at JLL, shares insights from the 2025 Workforce Preference Barometer, highlighting the growing desire for flexible office environments, especially among Gen Z. She discusses the importance of human-centered design and amenities that make office spaces appealing. Meanwhile, Charlotte McDonald-Gibson reveals the complexities of urban combat training, noting the value of synthetic environments and advanced technology like AR/AI for effective preparation in urban warfare scenarios.
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Return-To-Office Momentum
- Return-to-office sentiment is rising, especially among Gen Z who value learning and social opportunities.
- That shift pressures employers to tailor offices to multi-generational needs rather than apply one-size-fits-all rules.
Design Flexible Hybrid Policies
- Do design hybrid policies that give access but avoid tying employees to a fixed desk five days a week.
- Allow flexibility and choice so individuals can optimise days in-office versus remote work for their roles.
Mandates Create Coordination Challenges
- Nearly half of European organisations mandate a minimum number of office days, creating a new complexity of self-regulation.
- Mandates often stop short of five days and require teams to coordinate which specific days to come in.