Work From Office Trend Surges in 2026 — Is the WFH Era Over?
Jakarta, VIVA — Post-Covid-19 changes to working patterns are once again in the spotlight. After several years of a dramatic rise in remote working or work from home (WFH), the latest data now points in a different direction.
This year, the number of employees returning to full-time office work has reached its highest level since before the pandemic.
The phenomenon has sparked fresh debate about the future of hybrid working systems and workers' rights to work from home. On one hand, companies are pushing for physical attendance in the name of productivity and collaboration, whilst others argue that work flexibility remains relevant given current social and economic conditions.
According to data reported by RTE on Saturday, 21 February 2026, the latest figures from Ireland show the number of people working from home fell by 15,900 over the past year, equivalent to 1.6 per cent of the total workforce. The current total of workers still working from home stands at 956,700.
Conversely, the number of workers who never work from home at all has risen significantly, climbing by 74,200 to reach 1,865,600 workers. This represents the highest figure for office-based workers since before the Covid-19 pandemic.
The increase in employees returning to the office indicates a shift in policy across various organisations. Many companies have begun tightening physical attendance requirements and reducing remote work flexibility.
Amid this changing trend, there is growing momentum for workers to have stronger rights to work remotely. Associate Professor Sarah Kieran of the University of Limerick considers the discussion around the right to work from home to be an extremely important conversation.
The local Labour Party has proposed the Work Life Balance, Right to Remote Work Bill 2026, which aims to grant workers greater rights regarding working from home. Kieran believes various stakeholders have an important role to play in advancing this discussion.
According to Kieran, there are numerous economic and social factors that need to be considered in remote working policy. "There are many very real economic and social factors for employees relating to commuting time, travel costs, and affordable housing that are pushing people out of cities," she said.
This year, the number of employees returning to full-time office work has reached its highest level since before the pandemic.
The phenomenon has sparked fresh debate about the future of hybrid working systems and workers' rights to work from home. On one hand, companies are pushing for physical attendance in the name of productivity and collaboration, whilst others argue that work flexibility remains relevant given current social and economic conditions.
According to data reported by RTE on Saturday, 21 February 2026, the latest figures from Ireland show the number of people working from home fell by 15,900 over the past year, equivalent to 1.6 per cent of the total workforce. The current total of workers still working from home stands at 956,700.
Conversely, the number of workers who never work from home at all has risen significantly, climbing by 74,200 to reach 1,865,600 workers. This represents the highest figure for office-based workers since before the Covid-19 pandemic.
The increase in employees returning to the office indicates a shift in policy across various organisations. Many companies have begun tightening physical attendance requirements and reducing remote work flexibility.
Amid this changing trend, there is growing momentum for workers to have stronger rights to work remotely. Associate Professor Sarah Kieran of the University of Limerick considers the discussion around the right to work from home to be an extremely important conversation.
The local Labour Party has proposed the Work Life Balance, Right to Remote Work Bill 2026, which aims to grant workers greater rights regarding working from home. Kieran believes various stakeholders have an important role to play in advancing this discussion.
According to Kieran, there are numerous economic and social factors that need to be considered in remote working policy. "There are many very real economic and social factors for employees relating to commuting time, travel costs, and affordable housing that are pushing people out of cities," she said.