The True Cost of Insisting on Office-Based D365 Talent in 2026
In 2026, the Dynamics 365 talent market is tighter, more specialised, and more candidate-driven than ever. Yet we still see one requirement slowing hiring down more than almost any other:
“Office-based only.”
While there are absolutely valid reasons for wanting people on-site, many businesses underestimate the real cost of insisting on fully office-based Dynamics 365 talent. And that cost goes far beyond salary.
Here’s what it’s actually costing D365 employers in today’s market.
1. A Dramatically Smaller Talent Pool
Dynamics 365 is already a niche skillset. When you add an office-based requirement, you immediately remove:
- Senior consultants who relocated post-COVID
- Contractors who prioritise flexibility
- Highly skilled candidates outside commuting distance
- Parents and experienced professionals unwilling to return full-time
In practical terms, we often see the candidate pool shrink by 50–70% when a role is office-based only.
That means:
- Longer time-to-hire
- Fewer quality shortlists
- More compromise on skillset or seniority
2. Higher Salary Pressure (Even If You Don’t Realise It)
Many employers assume office-based roles should be cheaper. In reality, the opposite is often true.
Office-based D365 candidates typically expect:
- A salary premium to offset commuting time and costs
- Stronger benefits to compensate for reduced flexibility
- Faster progression or bonuses to “make it worth it”
Meanwhile, hybrid roles often attract better candidates at market-aligned salaries, because flexibility itself is part of the value proposition.
3. Longer Vacancies = Delivery Risk
Unfilled D365 roles don’t just affect HR metrics — they affect delivery.
We regularly see office-based mandates lead to:
- Project delays
- Overworked existing consultants
- Increased reliance on expensive short-term contractors
- Strain on client relationships
In ERP delivery, one missing consultant can impact an entire programme.
The longer a role stays open, the more expensive it becomes — even if the salary hasn’t changed.
4. Losing Senior Talent to More Flexible Competitors
This is especially true at the mid-to-senior level.
Experienced D365 consultants now expect:
- Hybrid working as standard
- Autonomy and trust
- A results-focused culture, not presenteeism
When faced with two similar roles, the hybrid option almost always wins — even if the salary is slightly lower.
Insisting on office-based work often means losing top candidates to competitors who have adapted faster.
5. Culture Isn’t Built by a Commute
One of the most common reasons we hear for office-based requirements is culture.
But in practice, we see:
- Hybrid teams with strong culture and low attrition
- Office-based teams struggling with morale and burnout
- Engagement driven by leadership, not location
Culture comes from:
- Clear expectations
- Good onboarding
- Strong managers
- Knowledge sharing and mentoring
Not from sitting at the same desk five days a week.
6. The Market Has Moved. Permanently.
The D365 market hasn’t “snapped back” to pre-COVID norms. It has reset.
In 2026:
- Fully remote roles are rarer, but still exist
- Hybrid (2–3 days) is the dominant model
- Office-based only is now a special case, not the default
Employers who recognise this are hiring faster, retaining better, and building more resilient teams.
So When Does Office-Based Make Sense?
There are absolutely scenarios where office-based D365 roles work:
- Junior or graduate consultants
- Heavy client-site delivery
- Highly collaborative, fast-paced environments
- Organisations offering exceptional progression or incentives
The key is being intentional, not defaulting to it.
Final Thought
The real cost of insisting on office-based D365 talent in 2026 isn’t just financial.
It’s:
- Missed candidates
- Slower growth
- Increased delivery risk
- Losing talent to more flexible competitors
At Shape It Recruitment, we don’t push remote or hybrid for the sake of it — but we do help clients understand what the market will realistically support.