Companies enforcing office attendance at highest rate in 5 years, 72% hitting targets in 2025

In the evolving landscape of post-pandemic work, a notable surge in corporate efforts to monitor and enforce office attendance has emerged, reaching levels not seen in half a decade. This trend, driven by a desire to bolster collaboration and productivity, carries significant implications for commercial real estate markets, employee retention strategies, and broader economic indicators tied to urban revival.

The Resurgence of Office Mandates

As businesses navigate the hybrid work era, recent surveys indicate a marked increase in the adoption of attendance tracking mechanisms. According to data from CBRE’s 2025 Americas Office Occupier Sentiment Survey, 72% of 184 surveyed companies have achieved their attendance targets, a rise from 61% the previous year. This progress reflects a broader push towards structured in-office policies, with many firms mandating at least three days per week in physical workspaces.

The enforcement side has also intensified. Reports suggest that 69% of companies now actively measure compliance with these policies, up from 45% in 2024, while 37% have implemented disciplinary actions, compared to 17% last year. Such measures often involve digital tools like badge swipes, WiFi logins, and even advanced analytics to ensure adherence. This shift underscores a corporate recalibration, where the flexibility of remote work is being balanced against perceived benefits of face-to-face interactions.

Implications for Commercial Real Estate

The uptick in office attendance enforcement could signal a stabilisation in the beleaguered commercial property sector. With vacancy rates in major U.S. cities hovering at elevated levels since 2020, increased foot traffic might encourage occupiers to maintain or expand their footprints. CBRE’s survey highlights that 67% of respondents plan to keep or grow their office space, potentially alleviating pressure on landlords and boosting rental income streams.

From an investment perspective, this trend may favour real estate investment trusts (REITs) focused on premium office spaces in central business districts. Historical data from pre-2020 periods shows that higher occupancy correlates with stronger lease renewals and reduced concessions. Analysts project that if enforcement continues at this pace, office utilisation could approach 80% by mid-2026, based on models incorporating current hybrid adoption rates. However, this forecast assumes no major economic downturns that might prompt cost-cutting measures favouring remote setups.

Productivity and Employee Sentiment Dynamics

Proponents of stricter attendance policies argue that in-person work fosters innovation and team cohesion, potentially enhancing overall productivity. Yet, this comes amid mixed employee sentiment. Credible sources, including reports from PwC, indicate instances of resistance, with some firms introducing traffic-light dashboards to monitor compliance—green for adherence, red for persistent non-compliance. Such systems aim to address what companies describe as “deliberate non-adherence,” but they risk alienating talent in a competitive labour market.

Sentiment from verified financial outlets, such as CNBC, points to a divide: while executives view enforcement as essential for cultural alignment, surveys reveal that a significant portion of workers—up to 40% in some studies—prefer flexible arrangements. This tension could lead to higher turnover, with analyst models estimating recruitment costs rising by 15–20% in sectors like technology and finance if mandates become too rigid.

Technological Enablers and Market Opportunities

The enforcement boom has spurred demand for monitoring technologies, creating niches for software providers. Tools integrating AI-driven analytics for attendance tracking are gaining traction, with companies like those in the enterprise software space potentially seeing revenue uplifts. Historical trends from 2021–2023 show that SaaS firms offering workplace management solutions experienced average annual growth of 12%, a pattern that could accelerate if enforcement rates sustain.

Moreover, this trend intersects with broader economic themes. Urban economies, reliant on commuter spending, stand to benefit from revived office attendance. Retail and hospitality sectors in city centres might see a 5–10% uptick in footfall, per economist projections based on 2019 baselines, indirectly supporting municipal revenues through increased sales taxes.

Global Perspectives and Future Outlook

While the U.S. leads in this resurgence, similar patterns are evident globally. In the UK, firms like PwC have ramped up monitoring, using data from building passes and connections to enforce policies. Across Europe and Asia, enforcement is climbing, albeit at varying paces, influenced by cultural norms around work-life balance.

Looking ahead, analyst-led forecasts suggest that by 2027, over 80% of large corporations could adopt some form of attendance monitoring, driven by data showing productivity gains in hybrid models with enforced presence. However, risks abound: labour shortages in skilled sectors might force a rethink if enforcement leads to talent exodus. Investors should monitor key indicators, such as office lease volumes and employee satisfaction indices, to gauge sustainability.

In summary, the heightened focus on office attendance enforcement represents a pivotal shift in corporate strategy, with ripple effects across real estate, technology, and labour markets. As companies balance control with flexibility, the outcomes will shape investment landscapes for years to come.

References

• CBRE. (2025). Americas Office Occupier Sentiment Survey. https://allwork.space/2025/08/new-cbre-report-shows-72-of-companies-hitting-hybrid-attendance-goals/
• CNBC. (2025, August 7). Companies monitoring, enforcing office attendance. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/07/companies-monitoring-enforcing-office-attendance.html
• NBC News. (2025). Companies monitoring and enforcing office attendance at highest rate in 5 years. https://www.nbcnews.com/business/real-estate/companies-monitoring-enforcing-office-attendance-highest-rate-5-years-rcna223640
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