Australia’s smaller workplaces are quietly leading the return-to-office movement by using creative perks and close-knit team cultures to encourage consistent in-office presence. Through a blend of flexibility, fun and hands-on leadership, these businesses are reaching attendance goals that many larger organisations are still struggling to achieve. However, this success sometimes comes at the cost of scalability and structure.
While larger corporate players continue to grapple with getting staff into the office three days a week, smaller firms are finding more effective ways to bring employees back. A recent report by a leading consulting agency revealed that companies with fewer employees and flatter management structures saw better attendance outcomes. These businesses averaged 3.1 days of office attendance each week, compared to 2.6 days at companies with over 1,000 staff.
One notable example is a Victorian mortgage brokerage with just 23 employees that has successfully achieved full-time in-office attendance. This was made possible through a combination of flexible policies, team engagement and appealing perks such as guest speakers and retro arcade games. The firm also offers a weekly wellness rebate, regular outings and rooftop barbecues. It credits its success to directly involving employees in planning and fostering an environment where people genuinely want to be present.
The report showed that only 19% of organisations were actively enforcing attendance policies. Most rely on softer approaches. Attendance peaks midweek, with lighter presence on Mondays and Fridays. Companies experiencing stronger benefits from in-person work tend not to enforce rigid rules. Instead, they create an atmosphere that staff want to be part of through social benefits and visible leadership.
It appears that culture is proving more effective than mandates in getting people back into shared workspaces. As more businesses refine their hybrid work models, smaller organisations may offer a practical example of how offices can remain relevant and engaging in a remote-first world.
