Working from the office is taking on new meaning this year, as companies look for flexible yet effective work models and employees reassess their real needs related to work and balance, after years in which remote work affected their wellbeing, eroded professional relationships and collaboration, limited career development, and intensified the phenomenon of quiet quitting. Young people from Generation Z, the employee group that previously showed a stronger preference for remote work, despite also being the one that needs interaction with managers and teams the most, are now rediscovering the office as an antidote to lack of connection, learning barriers, and workplace monotony.

As a result, the balance is increasingly tipping toward working from the office, with nearly 52% of Generation Z employees saying they prefer face-to-face collaboration with managers and colleagues over online meetings, well above the average and higher than the levels reported among Millennials (39%) and even Gen X (47%), according to a survey conducted by Genesis Property at the end of last year on a nationwide sample of 1,025 respondents.

Beyond work-related tasks, the office is increasingly valued for its human dimension by employees of all ages. Around 55% of employees say that breaks and personal conversations with close colleagues are the most enjoyable activities when they come to the office, beyond work itself, while nearly 25% prefer going out for lunch at a nearby restaurant. Among Gen Z employees, 8 out of 10 say that these breaks, conversations, and lunch outings with colleagues help them connect the most. At the same time, there is a noticeably higher level of interest in recreational and social activities at the office compared to other generations. Nearly 38% of young employees mention such activities – whether at the office, in dedicated relaxation areas, or in nearby locations – as key elements of their work experience, compared to an average of 17% across all employees.

Over 57% say that direct, in-person discussions help decisions be made more quickly, with the figure rising to 62% among Gen Z. Around 44% of young employees say that working in the same physical space facilitates collaboration between colleagues and across different teams, while the same share value the ability to receive immediate feedback from managers.

The office is increasingly perceived as a catalyst for creativity and informal learning. Over 48% of Gen Z employees say that direct interactions give them the opportunity to learn new things from colleagues, 44% believe that working from the office reduces feelings of monotony and boredom, and more than 31% see physical presence as a real opportunity for networking and the exchange of ideas.

Respondents also highlight the contribution of office-based work to a healthier lifestyle. Over 51% of employees across all age groups say that working from the office reduces sedentary behaviour and gives them more opportunities for daily physical activity, while nearly 43% say it helps them maintain a more structured and disciplined schedule. Among Gen Z employees, these effects are even more pronounced: over 65% say that working from the office reduces sedentary behaviour, nearly 38% believe it helps them establish a more stable routine for rest and nutrition, and more than 48% say that interaction with colleagues improves their emotional and mental health.

When asked to summarise the main benefit of working from the office in a single idea, both employees overall and Gen Z respondents point first to connection with the team and a better work-life balance. This shift in perspective shows that, for new generations, retention and engagement are built through the quality of the day-to-day work experience.

Genesis Property does not create office buildings alone, but work-life environments that support all the elements essential to the professional and personal development of employees of all ages. YUNITY Park, the office campus owned by Liviu Tudor, founder of Genesis Property, anticipates the trends and profound transformations in the way people work and live today and was designed as a direct response to the real, constantly evolving needs of modern employees. With green spaces, relaxation areas both indoors and outdoors, and facilities that support balance at work, the YUNITY Park campus is now in its third phase of development, with a total investment of EUR 50 million.

The survey, conducted by Genesis Property, examined how office life unfolds in the current socio-economic context and how employees perceive the role of the office. The survey was carried out nationwide in October 2025 via the iVox platform, on a total sample of 1,025 internet users in Romania. Nearly 47% of respondents were female, while over 53% reported a net monthly income of at least RON 5,000.

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About Genesis Property

Genesis Property is one of the leading developers and operators of Class A office buildings in Romania, with over 20 years of experience in the real estate market. The company owns and manages two of Bucharest’s largest business campuses – YUNITY Park and West Gate Business District – totaling over 150,000 sqm of GLA and hosting companies such as HP Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Accenture, Ericsson, Garanti BBVA, Infineon, Luxoft, Yokogawa, Siemens, and Alpha Bank, where more than 15,000 employees work. Genesis Property is also the developer of West Gate Studios, the first and largest private student campus in Romania.

With a forward-looking vision and a strong commitment to sustainability, Genesis Property strengthens its position through its “Hospitality for Global Talent” philosophy, creating spaces that support the balance between professional and personal life and place people at the center of the work experience.

For more information, visit GenesisProperty.net