by Mark Fallon, Managing Director at Coopman
It’s taken just five short years for businesses to realise that companies need their staff in the office again. Why? Productivity, collaboration, company culture – the fundamentals of high-performing organisations.
Here in Ireland, where our public transport system lags international standards and where bottleneck roads feed into major cities Dublin, Limerick, Galway; the commuter is well and truly back. The rush hour queues, and packed trains reflect a bigger truth: hybrid working has matured, and the office is re-establishing its role.
Anecdotally, C-level leaders want people in the office. It’s that simple. For younger generations, the intellectual property of their managers isn’t easily passed on via a Teams call. Stakeholder management, handling deadlines, navigating workplace pressures; these lessons are better learned face-to-face, through mentorship and observation.
The data backs this up. At Coopman, our high-level research into 50 financial services companies in Dublin aligns with this: 95% require a minimum of three days in the office, with a maximum of two days from home. Importantly, many employers have given staff notice periods to adjust personal and family arrangements; a recognition that change management is key to retention.
Is this a good trend? Professionally, I believe it is. Being in the office fosters engagement, trust, accountability, and, importantly, fun. During Covid, the lines between home and work blurred. Now, employees increasingly look to the office for camaraderie, career progression, and the sense of shared purpose that comes with achieving milestones together.
That said, there is another side. The long commuter. It’s here that flexibility becomes a competitive advantage. For those who moved their families outside Dublin during the pandemic; often among the best talent; flexible start and finish times can make all the difference in retention.
So, as we approach the end of 2025, the evolution of remote and hybrid work has been rapid. For some, it’s been a positive shift; for others, less so. But the overriding question remains: will we ever return to a full five days a week in the office?
The evidence suggests a compromise is here to stay; hybrid as the new norm, with the office at its core.
About the author
Mark Fallon is a Director and Co-Founder at Coopman Search & Selection, a purpose-led financial services recruitment company that combines lateral thinking with sector expertise across Financial Services operating in Dublin, London and New York.
