Return to Work Survey: 65% of Employers at “New Normal”

The future of the Bay Area’s transit systems and urban centers is becoming more clear thanks to new data from the bi-monthly Bay Area Council Return to Work employer survey, with 65% of companies stating that they have already arrived at their “new normal.” This includes nearly 40% of employees coming into the workplace two to three days per week, primarily on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, with another 23% of employees on site five or more days per week. This information is critical to help our region better understand new commute patterns and design services to best meet the needs of commuters. 

Survey results also revealed a large number of employers who are concerned with their employees’ personal safety when commuting via public transportation to and from work. A startling 71% of survey respondents stated that they are “somewhat” or “very concerned” with their employees’ safety on transit, a nearly 10% uptick from the prior Return to Work survey. Working in partnership with nearly 100 member companies, the Bay Area Council recently launched a transit safety work plan to address these unprecedented concerns with safety on Bay Area transit.

The Bay Area Council also continues to advocate for enhancements related to transit safety, cleanliness, and reliability through its advocacy with other regional stakeholders for state funding that is critical in avoiding the “fiscal cliff” that many of our region’s transit operators face in the next two to three years if we do not substantially regrow ridership and enable transit systems to thrive in the future.

To see the full November 2022 Return to Work survey results, click here.

For questions, comments, and information on how to participate in next month’s Return to Work survey, contact Vice President of Public Policy Emily Loper.