Do working professionals prefer VR workspaces over traditional offices?

As companies explore new ways to enhance remote collaboration, the idea of a ‘virtual office’ using VR headsets has gained attention. To understand public sentiment on this potential shift, a YouGov Surveys: Self-serve poll asked British adults whether they would prefer working remotely in a virtual reality office or continuing with traditional in-person office interactions if VR headsets became a widely accepted alternative.

Our data reveals that half of adults remain hesitant about adopting VR technology for work. Among 1,000 Britons polled, 51% preferred working in a physical office without a headset, while only 19% said they would opt for a VR-based virtual office from home. This preference for traditional office setups is even stronger among those who currently go to the office either full-time or part-time, with seven in 10 preferring in-person interaction over a VR alternative (69%). In contrast, 14% of this group said they would choose a virtual office with a headset.

The data suggests that while VR is growing in popularity for gaming and entertainment, its adoption in professional settings may face resistance. Employees who already experience in-person office environments show even lower interest in VR workspaces, indicating a preference for real-world interactions over digital alternatives.

In related news, explore how the metaverse is shaping the future of work and social interactions here.

Methodology: YouGov polled 1000 British adults online on February 4, 2025. The survey was carried out through YouGov Surveys: Self-serve. Data is weighted by age, gender, education level, region, and social grade. The margin of error is 3% for the overall sample.