Many organizations have tried to increase office presence through regulatory provisions. Experience shows that this works only briefly and poorly. People come when coming gives them something they don't have at home. So it's worth asking what specifically that might be.

Why policy alone is not enough

The obligation to be present does not change the balance of benefits. If a day in the office means a commute, noise, and the need to search for an empty room for an online meeting, the employee will follow instructions but will not engage with the space. The result is full desks and empty rooms—presence without collaboration.

What actually attracts people

The most frequently cited reasons for voluntary attendance concern three things: contact with the team, access to conditions better than those at home, and easier resolution of matters that drag on for weeks in remote format. This means the office must offer good meeting spaces, comfortable workstations, and a space where encounters happen naturally.

The role of working conditions

When an employee compares the office to their own apartment, they compare very specific things: quiet, chair comfort, air quality, light, and the ability to focus. If the office loses in these categories, no perks will turn it around. Therefore, investing in acoustics, ergonomics, and zoning has a greater impact on presence than most motivational programs.

The rhythm of the week

Establishing common days of presence for the team works well because the main value of coming in is finding others there. Coming on random days to an empty office only confirms the belief that it is not worth it. A shared rhythm ensures that a day in the office has specific content, such as planning, workshops, or onboarding.

Summary

Teams return to the office when they find people there and conditions better than at home. Instead of enforcing presence, it is worth taking care of acoustics, ergonomics, the availability of meeting spaces, and a shared weekly rhythm. This shifts the balance from an obligation to a choice.