Purpose Over Presenteeism: Why Your Workplace “Why” Matters More Than Ever

Forcing people back to the office with mandates doesn’t work. It’s like telling someone to eat kale – they might comply, but only begrudgingly. As our workplace experts say – "Don't make me come into the office... show me why I should."

Employees want a reason. According to Harvard Business Review, 79% of employees say in-person meetings are more effective for team-building than remote ones. And yet, too many organisations are missing the chance to define what makes showing up worthwhile.

Why Purpose Beats Presenteeism

Our clients tell us the same story: fewer in-person moments have weakened their culture. The creative buzz, the casual mentoring, the unplanned ideas that spark over coffee – these don’t happen on mute with a dozen faces on screen. If you want employees to come in willingly (and even happily), you need to define and communicate your workplace purpose. Here’s how:

Step 1: Clarify the Strategic Purpose of Your Workplace

Ask the big questions:

• Why does our office exist?
• How does it support our goals, culture, and people?

Your workplace isn’t just desks – it’s where culture, performance, and connection converge. Map employee perceptions against your vision to uncover gaps.

Step 2: Discover What People Value About Being In

Look for patterns:

• When do people come in?
• Which spaces do they use, and why?

Collect insights through surveys, interviews, observations – even sensor data. The goal is to understand the real motivations behind showing up.

Step 3: Categorise the Benefits of Presence

Not everyone comes in for the same reason. Some want collaboration, others mentorship, others simply focus.

Group these benefits into categories – community, focus, inspiration – and connect them to workplace design and ways of working.

Step 4: Define Your Workplace Purpose Statement

Turn insights into a clear, inspiring message. Make sure it reflects both what employees want and what the business needs. For example:

“Our office exists to spark collaboration, accelerate onboarding, and strengthen culture through meaningful, in-person connection.”

Step 5: Communicate Boldly and Often

Don’t keep it on a slide deck. Share it everywhere: town halls, visuals in the office, feedback sessions.

Most importantly, show that employee voices are shaping decisions. That’s how you build trust.

Step 6: Live It and Let It Evolve

Purpose isn’t static. Align space, technology, and policy with it:

• Do you need team anchor days?
• More collaboration zones?
• Clear etiquette for hybrid meetings?

Keep listening, adapting, and refining.

When people know why the office matters – and how it benefits them – it stops feeling like an obligation. Instead, it becomes a destination: a creative hub, a social anchor, a place to focus (yes, even quietly).

Let’s build workplaces people choose to come to – not ones they’re forced into. To get more advice for our workplace experts, contact us.