Return of Workers to Offices Creeping Up as More Employers Embrace “New Normal”
Thirteen months of survey data provided by Bay Area employers show we may be living in the “new normal” for in-person office work and public transit as over 50% of employers are currently operating under their “new normal.” Eighty-five percent of employers will have non-essential employees back to the office by the end of May, while almost 70% of employers expect their typical employees will work three days a week or less in the office, a prediction that has been consistent since July 2021. The Bay Area Council is partnering with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and EMC Research in conducing the monthly Return to Work/Transit survey.
This month saw the lowest percentage of people coming in zero days a week: on average, employers say that only 16% of their workforce comes in zero days a week, down from 20% last month, and 28% the month before that. Consistently throughout the survey period, most employers anticipate employees will be in the office Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with only 34% of employers anticipating employees will be in the office on Fridays. The percentage of employers that anticipate employees will be in the office reached a high of 44% in November 2021 but continued to trend downward since February 2022.
Meanwhile, new analysis by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute found that based on current trends the region can anticipate 161,000 fewer daily public transit trips.
To engage in the Council’s transportation policy work, please contact Senior Vice President Gwen Litvak.
