Some people, after having complete control over their working environments at home, are more socially anxious and less tolerant of the irritations that come with being surrounded by colleagues. Others, meanwhile, might be so happy to be in an office with colleagues that they wind up breaching rules of social etiquette that used to be there.

‘Being in the office’ isn’t the same as it was before; the way many companies use offices has changed as remote and hybrid work becomes more entrenched. The purpose the office serves now – and the rules around our behaviours in it – are still evolving.

Workers used to go to offices to do all their work, both their heads-down solo tasks as well as their group work. But now, in-office days in a hybrid environment often have a new, highly specific purpose, which is to foster socialisation and collaboration. 

Some workers are finding their co...