More Companies Are Tracking Office Attendance
The debate over remote versus in-office work has settled into a new phase: accountability. More than five years after the pandemic normalized hybrid schedules, U.S. companies are no longer just encouraging in-person attendance — they are tracking it. For Manhattan office tenants, this shift matters because it influences everything from utilization rates to the type of space employers choose to lease.
Attendance Tracking on the Rise
According to CBRE’s 2025 Americas Occupier Sentiment survey of 184 companies:
- 69% now measure office attendance policy compliance, up sharply from 45% in 2024.
- 37% have taken enforcement actions — more than double last year’s 17%.
- 85% of firms have an official office attendance policy, compared with 80% a year ago.
The biggest barrier to higher attendance? A lack of clear policy and enforcement. Employers are addressing that gap, signaling that the hybrid era is shifting toward structured in-office expectations.
Hybrid Is Still the Baseline
Even with more tracking, hybrid remains the dominant model. The survey found:
- 72% of employers met their attendance goals in 2025, up from 61% last year.
- For most, the goal is about three days a week in the office.
- A growing minority (26%) expect four or five days onsite, up from 23% in 2024.
- Only 3% anticipate employees coming in just once a week.
The gap between what companies want (3.2 days per week) and what employees deliver (2.9 days) is narrowing, especially among smaller firms. Companies with fewer than 500 employees average 3.4 days in-office, while large firms with more than 10,000 employees average only 2.5 days.
Enforcement, Culture, and Design
Large employers are trailing in enforcement: just 22% say they actively police attendance, compared to much higher rates among smaller businesses. Instead, many are focusing on culture and experience to “crack the code” of making offices feel inspiring on off-peak days.
Trends shaping workplace design include:
- Unassigned seating: Only 25% of companies still use assigned desks, down from 40% last year and 56% in 2023.
- Inspiration on off-peak days: Amenities, events, and design upgrades are being used to draw employees back voluntarily.
Implications for Office Demand
Stronger tracking and hybrid enforcement are already feeding back into the leasing market:
- 67% of occupiers expect to maintain or expand space over the next three years, up from 64% in 2024.
- Only 33% now expect contraction, down from a peak of 53% in 2023.
- Flight to quality continues: Prime space is in limited supply. Nationwide, vacancy in top-tier assets is 4.4 percentage points lower than in secondary buildings.
For Manhattan tenants, this translates into rising competition for Class A offices with wellness features, tech infrastructure, and flexible layouts. Companies are willing to take less square footage if it means securing space employees will actually use.
Broader Market Momentum
Stricter mandates from major employers like Paramount, Target, and Starbucks underscore the direction of travel. While policies vary — some requiring three or four days, others pushing back toward a full five — the common thread is that corporate leaders are tying in-office time to performance, collaboration, and culture.
This has already nudged office utilization higher. National leasing activity in early 2025 surpassed 100 million square feet per quarter for the first time since before the pandemic, even as job growth in office-heavy industries has stalled. Attendance, rather than hiring, is now the driver of office demand.
Manhattan Rent & Attendance Comparison (2025)
| Submarket & Building Class | Average Asking Rent (PSF/Year) | Typical Attendance Enforcement | Concessions Offered | Best Fit For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midtown Class A (Trophy / Prime) | $95–$120+ (can exceed $200 in ultra-trophy towers) | 3–4 days/week officially tracked; some firms pushing for 5 days (e.g., law/finance) | 4–6 months free rent; $80–$120 RSF TI for long-term deals | Law firms, finance, established corporates seeking prestige and reliability |
| Midtown South Class A / Creative | $80–$95 | 3 days/week common; lighter enforcement; often culture-driven | 3–5 months free rent; $60–$90 RSF TI; turnkey spec suites popular | Tech, creative, media firms balancing culture with cost |
| Downtown Class A (FiDi / Tribeca) | $55–$65 | 2–3 days/week average; policies less enforced among large employers | 6–9 months free rent; $70–$100 RSF TI; strong landlord flexibility | Cost-sensitive corporates, nonprofits, back-office functions |
| Downtown Class B/C | $40–$50 | 2–3 days/week typical; many firms flexible, less tracking | 9–12 months free rent; heavy TI or turnkey; some landlords offer plug-and-play | Startups, nonprofits, small firms prioritizing budget over image |
Key Takeaways for Tenants
- Class A Midtown: Attendance is most closely monitored, with stricter policies tied to prestige and client-facing culture. Incentives are more limited.
- Midtown South: Still culture-led, attracting hybrid firms that want creative layouts and flexibility. Enforcement is lighter but rising.
- Downtown Class A/B: Value play with generous concessions. Landlords more flexible, but attendance enforcement tends to be softer.
- Overall: The higher the rent, the stricter the attendance push — and the smaller the concession package.
FAQ
Q: Are more companies tracking office attendance in 2025?
Yes. Nearly 70% of employers now monitor attendance compliance, up from 45% in 2024.
Q: What’s the average in-office expectation today?
Most companies aim for about three days per week, though a growing share expect four or five days.
Q: How does enforcement affect office leasing?
Clearer policies and tracking lead to more consistent office utilization, which gives tenants confidence to maintain or expand space.
Q: Is hybrid still the dominant workplace model?
Yes. Hybrid is still the baseline strategy, but enforcement is increasing and employers are narrowing the gap between goals and actual attendance.
Conclusion
The hybrid era is evolving. What began as employee-led flexibility has become policy-driven attendance, with tracking and enforcement shaping office culture. For Manhattan tenants, this means occupancy costs should be measured against actual utilization and not just headcount. As more companies compete for quality space to entice staff back, landlords are tightening concessions in Class A buildings — while Class B/C landlords lean on discounts and flexibility.
We help tenants understand these shifts, budget for true utilization, and negotiate leases that align with today’s attendance-driven market realities.
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