Less Than Half Of New York Workers Will Return To The Office In January

A new report from the Partnership for New York City shows that just over one-quarter of New York office workers have return to the workplace as remote working endures.

According to a new report by the Partnership for New York City, only 28% of office workers in Manhattan have returned to the office, and 49% will return by January.

The survey of 188 large employers in Manhattan showed that while it is expected that more workers will come back to the workplace throughout the week, remote working will continue to play a role in office usage.

“Post-pandemic, remote work is here to stay,” said Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City. “There is going to be a permanent relook at keeping offices and jobs in New York City.”

At the moment, office vacancy rates are at a 30-year high in New York City at18.6% and the value of commercial real estate has fallen by 16.6% according to a report from New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

Even more, just 13% of Manhattan office workers are anticipated to be in the office five days a week in January, with 15% expected to come in two days a week, and 21% to be fully remote.

The average daily attendance in January also varies depending on the industry, with real estate expecting the highest attendance at 80%, followed by 61% of law firms, and 47% of financial services.