UK companies prepare for full-time office return in 2025

Several UK companies are reconsidering their flexible working policies and planning to have employees return to offices full-time starting in 2025.

Steven Try, Channel Manager UK&I at Snom, has offered insights into how this shift can be managed effectively by capitalising on available communication tools.

"In a bid to boost productivity, many large organisations are reversing their flexible working policies and asking employees to return to the office full-time in 2025," stated Try.

With employees resuming work from their office desks, the role of communication is emphasised as critical for maintaining connections with colleagues and clients efficiently.

Try highlighted the relevance that modern desk phones can have in this context.

"For staff returning to their desks, communication tools that enable them to connect with colleagues and customers quickly and easily is vital. This is why modern desk phones have a renewed role to play," explained Try.

While smartphones dominate personal communications, Try believes that IP desk phones are particularly suited for business environments.

"The majority of smartphones were not designed for business use, but IP desk phones are built for the office environment. Simple errors like pocket dialling a client or forgetting that your phone is still connected to Bluetooth are frustrating issues that people face when using a smartphone but can be easily avoided with a desk phone," he observed.

Desk phones also offer features that cater to business needs effectively. They provide reliable audio quality and secure communication channels, which are fundamental in business settings.

Try added, "Desk phones have easy-to-use interfaces and programmable keys, which make transferring calls straightforward. They operate using high-speed connections and offer reliable, clear audio quality, to ensure no loss of signal or drop-outs on calls."

Addressing privacy concerns, Try noted the importance of securing business communications through dedicated devices.

"Caller privacy can also be protected through built-in security mechanisms - which is particularly important when sensitive business or customer data is being handled."

"Employees do not need to give out their personal mobile numbers or conduct business through phones that could be vulnerable to hackers," he remarked.

Another significant angle Try brought up is the potential of desk phones to contribute to a balanced work-life structure for employees, aligning with growing discussions about disengagement from work outside business hours.

"Alongside the many time-saving and productivity benefits that employees will gain when using a desk phone, they will also help employees to re-establish boundaries - an increasingly important conversation as the UK government has proposed introducing a 'right to switch off.' Through desk phones, employees are accessible when they're at their desk but they're able to switch off once they're out of the office," Try elaborated.