In September 2024, Amazon’s CEO Andy Jassy made headlines when he announced a five-day return-to-office mandate for the company. However, due to some offices not being ready for a large influx of employees, the RTO deadline has been delayed for certain workers.
While hybrid office arrangements are expected to continue, a recent study from CBRE and CoreNet revealed that there will be an increase in office attendance as companies and employees align their expectations for in-office work.
The survey of 198 corporate real estate professionals found that over half (51%) want to improve current levels of office attendance. Some plan on aligning with current policies while others may move towards less hybrid work. Of those planning on increasing in-office days, two-thirds expect three or fewer days per week.
Current low levels of office attendance have negative impacts on relationship-building and cross-team collaboration according to respondents. This is because sporadic or unpredictable attendance makes it difficult to achieve these workplace objectives. Interestingly enough, only one-quarter (26%) stated that low levels are negatively affecting productivity.
Barriers preventing higher rates of office attendance include long commute times and unenforced RTO mandates according to the survey results – 57% cited commute time as an issue while 83% pointed towards lack of policy enforcement.
To address this issue beyond mandates and enforcement measures alone , companies are implementing change management strategies such as having leaders act as role models , investing in workplace technology , training managers on expectations alignment , increasing social events/programming at the workplace . Additionally they’re taking more targeted approaches towards setting expectations around attending physical workplaces .
CBRE also noted executives employing other strategies like changing layouts/designs at workplaces upgrading services & amenities offered within them relocating into better buildings altogether .
