Facts About Returning to the Office Statistics

The COVID-19 pandemic changed how people perceived work settings. It made remote work feasible as the pandemic lockdown forced companies to operate remotely. The pandemic amplified the work-from-home setup.

Companies required employees to return to the office three years into the pandemic. Others do it full-time, while others in a hybrid setting. 

This article will discuss recent and valuable updates regarding employees’ return to the office. Read the following returning to the office statistics to know more.

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• Less than half the workers prefer on-site for only 40-60% of the time.
• Around 50% of Americans are in a hybrid work setup.
• 94% of HR leaders found that staff were equally productive while working remotely. 
• 73% of remote work companies say they will return to the office.
• 5% of corporate leaders admit an expansion of hybrid work policies.
• 21% of companies will lay off workers who refuse to return to the office. 
• 75% of government employees prefer a work-from-home setup.
• According to 40% of workers, there is an increase in productivity working remotely.
• In 2021, a quarter of employees want to work on-site for five days a week. 

How Many Workers Are Going Back to the Office?

In 2022, 34% of employees in the United States returned to office full-time. Although companies are trying to bring employees back into the office, some still prefer working remotely. 

In a FlexJobs survey, only 56% of employees feel comfortable returning to the office, as they worry that it may affect their work-life balance. Employees realized that working from home does not necessarily disrupt the productivity of their work. 

Know how this new normal might shape the future through these returning-to-office statistics.

General Back-To-Office Statistics

Although companies require employees to return to the office, 48% of workers want a remote position for their next employment. The work-from-home setup gave employees the idea that they could be remotely productive.

Below are the general back-to-office statistics you need to know to navigate this modern work setting. 

1. Less than half the workers prefer on-site for only 40-60% of the time.

(Zippia)

38% of workers admit they favor working on-site 40-60% of the time. That’s less than half the workforce wanting to work face-to-face. In contrast, only 8% like to spend 80-100% of their time on-site. Indeed, there is an increased preference of workers towards working from home. 

2. Around 50% of Americans are in a hybrid work setup.

(Zippia)

Americans aren’t new to a work-from-home setting. Over 20% of Americans are doing it in 2019, and in 2023, 30% are working remotely. In addition, 20% work on-site, while 50% are in a hybrid setup. 

This work setup allows employees to spend more time with families and collaborate in person with their workmates.

3. 94% of HR leaders found that staff were equally productive while working remotely. 

(Fortune)

In a survey done by Mercer, it was found that 94% of workers were more, if not equally, productive while working at home rather than going to the office. The lack of commute and time flexibility increases employees' productivity. 

Statistics on Companies Returning to the Office

As COVID-19 restriction eases, many companies require employees to return to the office (RTO). In a survey, 66% of employers need their employees to work on-site. Leaders believe that productivity increases when people work together and have in-person collaboration. 

Learn more about companies’ stand regarding the RTO policy with the following statistics. 

4. 73% of remote companies say they will return to the office.

(Resume Builder)

In a survey done by Resume Builder, 73% of business leaders say they will change their work-from-home policy in 2023. With this, 9 out of 10 companies are expected to return to office. 

Aside from that, companies that already do on-site work will ask employees to come in regularly for the next 6 months.

5. 5% of corporate leaders admit an expansion of hybrid work policies.

(Fortune)

Big companies are recalculating the movement of bringing employees back to the office. 5% of these companies said they are expanding their hybrid work policies.

For example, Elon Musk required Twitter’s staff to return to the office like other companies. However, he embraced working remotely by closing its Seattle and Singapore Twitter headquarters. All teams are now working remotely. 

Statistics on Employee Opinions About Going Back to Offices

Although the recent imposition of an on-site work policy, only 4% of companies successfully made their entire workforce return to the office. Most of the employees considered work-from-home setups more beneficial.

The following statistics will help you learn about employees’ opinions about the RTO policy. 

6. 21% of companies will lay off workers who refuse to return to the office. 

(Resume Builder)

Companies use different ways of convincing workers to get back to the office. 88% of employers use incentives to encourage workers. However, 21% say they will fire workers who do not comply with the RTO policy. 

The most favored incentives offered by companies are free meals (41%), transportation benefits (35%), and salary raises (34%).

7. 75% of government employees prefer a work-from-home setup.

(Entrepreneur)

As the Canadian Federal Government announced a back-to-office policy, almost 14,000 public service workers prefer working from home. 

The government ordered workers to do on-site work up to three days per week, and according to Mark Brière, it is irrelevant for most workers to return to the office. 

8. According to 40% of workers, there is an increase in productivity working remotely.

(Zippia)

This increase in productivity is attributed to factors like decreased stress levels and better work-life integration. Workers had more time with their families, reduced expenses, and better time flexibility for their other priorities. 

9. In 2021, a quarter of employees want to work on-site for five days a week. 

(World Economic Forum)

In a 2021 survey, a quarter of workers wanted to work in the office for five days a week once the pandemic ended. The most substantial support for on-site work setup comes from Mexico, with 40%, followed by South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Peru. 

On the other hand,  global workers who prefer flexible schedule prefers:

• China & Belgium: average of 2.5 days a week
• France: 1.9 days a week
• India: 3.4 days a week

Final Thoughts

The pandemic revolutionized how companies do their businesses. From its operation down to its work schedule, it is evident how working from home has become more convenient for employees throughout the years. 

Three years into the pandemic, workers have slowly discovered how productivity can be achieved even remotely. 

However, remote work is not for every business model. There are still businesses that require face-to-face interaction. Hopefully, these statistics have helped you see where the world is heading three to five years from now.