The results of a new survey from CoreNet Global and CBRE are in and they show that an anticipated post-Labor Day uptick in employee utilization of office space may not be enough to satisfy many companies’ expectations. As employers search for ways to increase office usage, they are focusing on making their space design compelling enough to attract employees back to the office.
One key point is that employer and employee expectations are not aligned; but, companies can do more to close the gap.
Companies that expect an increase in office usage face a unique challenge in getting employees to change behaviors. Only 25% of respondents believe that their employees would voluntarily come into the office more often than they do today. By contrast, 58% say that executive leadership would like employees in the office more (chart)
This disconnect between employer and employee expectations is leading some companies to encourage employees to work in the office more often. Sixty-one percent of survey respondents indicated that office utilization levels are defined by either a companywide or divisional policy. This sentiment has grown since CBRE’s Spring 2022 U.S. Office Occupier Sentiment Survey.
Chart: Executive Sentiment vs. Their Perception of Employee Behavior Regarding Return to Office
Source: Occupier Survey, CBRE & CoreNet Global, August 2022.