New York City’s office attendance lags behind other major U.S. cities, with an average rate of just 42.6% in August, the lowest among the top five cities. Houston had the highest return rate at 60%, followed by Dallas and Chicago. Even in the last week of August, office attendance in New York City slipped to 38.2%, the second-lowest among the 10 cities tracked. The pandemic has led to a permanent shift in remote and hybrid work, with 35.5% of the average workweek in New York City spent working remotely, higher than the 10-city average.
New York City Office Attendance Lags Peer Cities
Office attendance in New York City continues to struggle compared to other major U.S. cities. As per the analysis by Kastle Systems’ Back-to-Work Barometer, New York City’s return-to-office rates are well behind its peer metros. In August, office attendance averaged just 42.6%, the lowest among the top five cities. This persistent low attendance has raised concerns among public officials, including Mayor Eric Adams, who has been urging employers to bring their workers back to the office.
Hybrid and Remote Work Has Become Permanent
The low office attendance in New York City can be attributed to the significant shift in how Americans work due to the pandemic. Remote and hybrid work has become a permanent fixture in the labor market. In New York City, 35.5% of the average workweek is spent working remotely, which is higher than the 10-city average. This trend is likely to continue unless there is a shift in company policies that allow employees to telework full-time.
