How to Boost Office Attendance in a Hybrid Work Model | Perks, Massages & More

Since the pandemic, hybrid work (a mix of home + office) has become the norm for many companies. While it gives employees flexibility, many leaders are struggling with reduced in‑office presence, resulting in fewer spontaneous collaborations, lower team cohesion, and sometimes less visibility into company culture.

One proven way to encourage people to come into the office more often is to offer perks that make the office environment more appealing, including wellness offerings like massages. In this post, I’ll share some data on hybrid work preferences, reasons employees favour remote work, and how wellness perks (especially massages) can help make the office a place people want to be.

Hybrid Work & What the Recent Data Shows

Here are some stats to set the context:

• In South Africa, 86% of respondents in one survey felt well-being improved under hybrid or remote work, which is above the global average of 78%. News24
• Just over 60% of South Africans said hybrid working saved them at least four hours per week, and 27% said they saved eight or more hours per week by not commuting every day. News24
• Globally, 74% of employers now offer some kind of hybrid work policy. expertbeacon.com+1
• Many employees prefer hybrid: for example, 80% prefer hybrid over fully onsite or fully remote in certain studies. WifiTalents+1
• Also, hybrid tends to help with health, stress, work/life balance: remote days often mean less commuting, more flexibility, and time saved.

Seasonal & Personal Comfort Factors

Interestingly, personal comfort and seasonal conditions play a big role in whether people choose to come into the office:

• Winter warmth – in colder months, many employees find the office warmer than their homes. Heating a house can be expensive, so coming into a heated office can save money and improve comfort. The same is true for summer months in South Africa with air conditioned offices.
• Productivity & focus – home environments may have sub‑optimal lighting, heating, or ergonomic setups. Offices often offer better conditions for focused work.
• Mood & well‑being – cold, dark winter mornings can affect mental health. A comfortable, warm office with perks like massages, hot drinks, and cozy spaces can make employees more motivated to come in. Social connection plays a big role in keeping people happy and engaged with one another.
• Energy & convenience – being able to access office resources (ergonomic chairs, monitors, stationery) and wellness perks can make workdays feel easier and more enjoyable.

These factors show that employees’ choices are often personal and practical, not just about flexibility, but about comfort, cost, and mental well-being.

Why It Matters to Get People Back (or More Often) into the Office

While remote and hybrid models are attractive, having people in the office matters for:

• Collaboration & creativity – spontaneous conversations, brainstorming, serendipitous encounters.
• Culture building – shared rituals, social bonding, mentoring, and onboarding.
• Training & development – junior employees benefit from observation and access to senior staff.
• Well-being & mental health – being around colleagues can reduce isolation and provide structure.
• Retention & recruitment – offices with vibrant, comfortable experiences attract talent.

How Massages & Wellness Perks Can Help

Perks like massages have a strong impact:

Reduce stress, tension, and headaches, improving mood and mental well-being.

Lower absenteeism by reducing stress-related illness.

Improve posture and reduce discomfort from sitting.

Boost energy, refresh mood, and increase productivity during office days.

Other complementary perks include healthy snacks, break spaces, yoga or meditation sessions, ergonomic furniture, flexible seating, and good lighting.

Practical Ways to Encourage Office Attendance with Perks

1. Survey your team – find out what perks they value most.
2. Pilot wellness days – bring in a masseuse, yoga, or wellness activities once a month.
3. Tie perks to office days – offer massages or other perks on specific days.
4. Promote perks in advance – build anticipation through internal communication.
5. Ensure comfort & convenience – parking, coffee, internet, temperature, and seating matter.
6. Provide flexibility – allow employees to choose which days to come in.
7. Track feedback & iterate – see what works and improve offerings.

Hybrid working is here to stay, and employees value flexibility. But if you want people to come into the office more often, without mandating attendance, wellness perks like massages and thoughtful comfort measures can make a big difference. From warmth in winter to cool air conditioning in summer to improved focus, mood, and physical well-being, these small touches can turn the office into a place employees want to be.

By combining data, seasonal insights, and appealing perks, companies can create a thriving hybrid workplace that benefits both employees and the business.