Taking a look at what happens when employers implement RTO policies

Ever since COVID eased a few years ago, employers have been exploring what the post-pandemic workplace should look like—fully in office, fully remote, or hybrid. The question remains unsettled, as organizations have their own unique needs. But there’s more to consider than whether to require at least some office attendance. Employers also can benefit from learning what happens during a return-to-office (RTO) transition.

Observations on attendance

Density, a provider of technology aimed at helping organizations optimize their use of space, released research in April showing what happens just before and after an RTO policy goes into effect.

The research, titled “From Zooms to Rooms: Real Data on the RTO Experience,” shows that office attendance falls the week before a policy takes effect. The data shows a 13% drop in workplace occupancy in that week—a phenomenon Density calls the “office-moon,” a corporate version of a honeymoon. “Only instead of lounging on a tropical beach, employees are getting in every last minute of remote work,” the research report says. Employees may be using the time to handle last-minute details like childcare logistics and buying office-suitable attire.

Then, during the first week after an RTO mandate kicks in, occupancy jumps but quickly fades. Researchers noted a 28% increase during the first week, but 12% of that gain fell off over the next 10 weeks.