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If you are experiencing "hybrid creep," it is not that guy occasionally comes into the office and weirds everyone out. It's something entirely different and you may not even have noticed it happening yet.
A new report suggests many employers are gradually raising office attendance requirements without making official adjustments to hybrid work policies - a trend researchers are calling “hybrid creep.”
The study, by Owl Labs found only 23% of companies have made formal changes to their remote or hybrid arrangements in the past year, even as more employees are being asked to commute more frequently. Meanwhile, 73% of workers said their organizations have made no formal updates at all.
Despite this apparent policy standstill, the number of required in-office days has steadily risen. Today, 63% of employees work entirely on-site, 9% remain fully remote, and roughly one in four operate under hybrid schedules - a notable shift from 2024 levels.
Quiet increases in in-person work
The report says that many employees are now expected to spend additional time at the office. In 2024, 32% of hybrid workers were required to attend four days per week; in 2025, that figure climbed to 34%, up from roughly one-quarter in 2023.
The share of workers commuting only once a week also declined, falling from 7% to 5%.
“These figures suggest that even without sweeping mandates, many employees are experiencing a slow-motion return to office,” the report said.
The changing expectations have blurred boundaries between work and personal life. Nearly 30% of employees say they no longer have a clear start or end to their day, while 59% schedule personal appointments during work hours.
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Productivity expert: reclaim time and clarity
Fineas Tatar, cofounder of remote services firm Viva, recently told Fortune that hybrid teams should set clearer boundaries to manage the shifting expectations.
He advised leaders to “audit calendars for recurring meetings that no longer serve a purpose,” and to “protect transition time” between major tasks.
Tatar also recommended investing in “role clarity” so “every direct report knows what decisions they own.” These steps, he said, help prevent burnout and boost efficiency as hybrid norms evolve.
Worker preferences also shifting
While some employees resist the increase in office time, others welcome it. The share of workers who prefer being in the office four days a week has risen from 17% to 21%, and 25% now say they would rather work entirely on-site.
Many cited greater productivity and stronger connections with colleagues. Some 43% said they focus better in the office, compared with one-third who feel more productive at home.
Even so, workers are maintaining control where they can. 43% admit to “coffee badging,” a practice where employees briefly visit the office to show face before leaving - down slightly from last year, though 12% say they still plan to try it.
