Colombians return to offices: 48% are now working 100% in person.

48% of Colombian workers surveyed say they work 100% in-person. This was revealed in the report "AI and In-Person Work: The New Work Landscape," conducted by WeWork in 2025. This figure represents a significant change compared to 2023, when only 16% of workers in the region participated in this model.

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The research, based on 575 surveys in Colombia and more than 5,000 regionally, also shows that 35% of workers in the country adopt a hybrid model, while only 9% operate under fully remote arrangements. An additional 8% have a remote model with the option of attending offices. Among those who work hybridly, 57% attend three or more times per week, 31% twice, and only 12% go once.

"In-person policies, in most cases, are not the responsibility of employees but rather of companies," the report details. This statement coincides with data from PageGroup's Talent Trends 2024 study, according to which 37% of workers worldwide have increased their in-person attendance due to internal changes in corporate policies.

In Colombia, 35% of respondents say they go to the office more often than a year ago. For 45%, the situation hasn't changed, and 20% go less frequently. Of the total , 67% believe this change has had a positive impact on their lives, while 33% perceive negative effects.

Among the positive impacts are a better work-life balance, improved team dynamics, and a perception of increased productivity. In contrast, the negative aspects are related to commute time, poorer work-life balance, and reduced productivity . "Talent is polarized regarding the advantages and disadvantages of their current work arrangements," the document states.

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Accept a job or not?

The type of work also directly influences the decision to change or accept a job. Eighteen percent of participants would not accept a return to a completely in-person schedule, 31% would not accept a non-remote schedule, and only 3% would not accept a completely remote schedule.

The report highlights that 54% of participants in Latin America prefer a hybrid model, while 23% opt for full in-person work and another 23% for remote work. By generation, Baby Boomers are the most likely to prefer in-person work (38%), while Generation Z shows the least interest (14%) . Millennials are close behind, with only 15% in favor of this model.

Women and people with diverse identities are the least likely to favor in-person learning: only 14% prefer it, compared to 30% of men. Sixty-one percent of this group prefer the hybrid model, and 25% opt for remote learning. This difference in preferences is related, according to the report, to factors such as mobility, childcare, and the need to balance work and personal life.

In terms of emotional impact, women and diverse people find benefits in greater team cohesion upon returning to the office, although they also experience burnout from the commute. Among men , the pattern is similar: some value the return, but others perceive impacts on their well-being due to the commute.

Traffic: The main reason for not accepting in-person attendance

In Colombia, traffic congestion is a determining factor. According to the TomTom Traffic Index, Barranquilla, Bogotá, and Cali are among the most congested cities in Latin America . In Barranquilla, people lose 130 hours a year during rush hour; in Bogotá, 119; and in Cartagena, 117. 39% of respondents travel by private car, 31% use combinations of transportation, and 22% spend more than an hour on their daily commute, while 21% spend two hours or more. When asked whether the return to offices has been organized, 58% of people in Colombia believe it has. However, shortcomings are identified such as the lack of adequate space for all staff (26%), noise in open areas (29%), and the hasty return to unplanned hybrid models (23%).

In parallel with the debate on in-person work, the use of artificial intelligence is emerging as one of the major transformations in the workplace . 58% of respondents report having a basic understanding of AI, 39% claim to have intermediate knowledge, and only 1% consider themselves experts. The use of these tools depends largely on individual initiative: only 7% work in companies with formal policies promoting their use.

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Despite this, 63% of respondents indicate that their company already uses artificial intelligence software, and 97% would like training in this area . Forty-six percent believe that between 11% and 30% of their workload could be automated, while 35% believe that up to 10% could be automated.

The main uses of AI include everyday technical tasks (51%) and simple searches (34%). 56% of people believe they could be more productive and reduce their workday with the proper use of these tools. However, 47% would not return to an in-person approach just because of the possibility of accessing advanced AI, and 39% would depend on how it was implemented.

Regarding benefits and risks, participants identified that artificial intelligence can improve accuracy, reduce costs, optimize processes, and facilitate data-driven decisions. However, risks such as job loss, algorithmic bias, privacy threats, and data misuse were also mentioned.

78% of respondents in Colombia consider AI a supportive tool and not a direct threat to their jobs. When asked how they would feel if AI measured their productivity, only 31% would be comfortable with it, while 26% would reject it, and 43% would feel comfortable depending on the implementation method.

Concerns center around transparency, fairness, and the protection of personal data. “Acceptance of AI in the workplace is not just about functionality, but about trust in its intended purpose and application,” the study notes.

Regarding the emotions generated by artificial intelligence, curiosity and optimism predominate. This suggests a positive disposition toward learning and adaptation. "Most professionals in Colombia do not see it as a direct threat to their jobs, but rather as a tool that can be of great help," the document details.

In Colombia, there are still no specific regulatory policies on artificial intelligence. However, bills have been introduced that seek to guarantee transparency, compatibility with the right to work, and respect for human rights. Furthermore, the country has a National Policy on Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (CONPES 3975) and, since 2024, a Bicameral Accidental Commission to coordinate legislative initiatives on the topic.

At the regional level, Colombia ranks second in Latin America with the highest AI use, with 29% adoption, behind only Brazil. According to PageGroup, "the impact of AI on long-term career plans in Colombia is also significant."

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In the daily work environment, 98% of respondents believe AI improves efficiency in in-person work, and 93% agree with hybrid or remote work. The activities that could benefit most are data analysis and content generation.

Despite this recognition, 47% of Colombian workers would not accept a full return to the office simply because of the use of advanced AI. This indicates that, while artificial intelligence is seen as a useful tool, it does not, on its own, represent a sufficient incentive to give up flexibility.

Paula Galeano Balaguera

Portfolio Journalist