Over 1 Million Employees to Return to Office, Attendance Expected to Rise: JLL Report
According to a recent report from real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), over 1 million employees, including those from companies like FedEx, Zoom Communications, and Lyft, will be called back into their offices starting in September or later. This marks a significant shift as companies aim to increase office attendance and encourage employees to return to in-person work at least part of the week.
The report highlights that office attendance, as measured by property management and security firm Kastle Systems, has been at its highest rate since the pandemic began, hovering around 50% in 2023. However, with the implementation of post-Labor Day return-to-office (RTO) mandates, this rate is expected to increase to between 55% and 65% by the fourth quarter of this year. In fact, attendance on popular midweek days such as Tuesdays and Wednesdays could potentially rise as high as 80%.
However, achieving the upper end of this spectrum relies heavily on employees complying with the new office mandates, and there are concerns about the level of compliance. John Gates, CEO of the Americas Markets at JLL, believes that reaching a surge in attendance would be naive, acknowledging that reactions from employees vary based on individual circumstances. He suggests that the rise in office attendance will likely be a gradual process.
Bringing employees back to the office is not without its challenges. A survey conducted by the Conference Board reveals that 73% of companies have struggled to get workers back in the office. Additionally, workspace design firm Unispace’s May report found that around 42% of companies that mandated a return-to-office experienced higher levels of employee attrition than anticipated.
Even JLL itself is downsizing its headquarters in Chicago’s Aon Center skyscraper by more than 61,000 square feet due to employees choosing to work from suburban offices or offices near train stations for easier commutes. This highlights the importance of involving HR in companies’ decisions regarding office space investments and return-to-office plans.
Overall, the return-to-office trend is expected to see a gradual increase in attendance rather than a sudden surge. While some companies may experience high levels of compliance with office mandates, others will need to navigate various challenges to bring employees back successfully. HR departments play a critical role in managing these transitions and ensuring a balance between employee well-being and operational needs.
In other news, the Pew Research Center’s recent analysis reveals a growing trend of fathers becoming stay-at-home parents. The share of fathers who make up stay-at-home parents has increased from 11% in 1989 to 18% presently. While some fathers opt to fully exit the workforce, others take on side gigs or formally take time off from their jobs while caring for their children to maintain a connection to the workforce.
These are the most important headlines in the HR field:
– A recent survey shows that an increasing number of remote workers feel disconnected from their company’s mission.
– The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against SpaceX, alleging that the company has refused to hire refugees and asylum seekers.
– T-Mobile plans to lay off 7% of its workforce, particularly targeting corporate positions, as part of cost-cutting efforts.
– College graduate hiring has slowed down due to recession fears and a cooled-off labor market, leaving young professionals facing challenges in finding employment.
In the world of business, it’s crucial to pay attention to evolving trends and adapt accordingly. From the return-to-office movement to the evolving dynamics of stay-at-home fathers and the challenges faced by companies in attracting and retaining talent, HR professionals need to remain proactive and navigate these changes with empathy and strategic thinking.
Sources:
– Paige McGlauflin, Over 1 million employees at companies like FedEx and Zoom will be called into the office at least part of the week starting in September or later, Fortune, July 26, 2023.
– Fortner, A round-up of the most important HR headlines, Fortune, July 26, 2023.
