Manhattan Office Workers Now Leaving by 4 p.m. as Commutes And Childcare Take Priority, JLL Reports

Workers are, on average, leaving the office 13 minutes earlier in 2025 than they did in 2019. In some cases, that number stretches to an hour.

That’s according to a new report from JLL, which has shown how changing work patterns, family responsibilities, and commuting habits are reshaping corporate real estate strategies in the U.S., with New York City serving as a clear example of these emerging trends.

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Earlier Departures and Family-Centered Commutes

The traditional end-of-day office routine is being restructured as more employees prioritize childcare and family schedules. In Manhattan, what used to be a 5 p.m. departure is now happening as early as 4 p.m. for many workers, particularly those who relocated to the suburbs during the pandemic. 

This change is often dictated by daycare pickup deadlines, which typically require children to be collected by 6 p.m.

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Suburban Workforce Sees Major Growth

Since the pandemic, an additional 45,000 suburban residents have joined the Manhattan office workforce. Interestingly, over one-third of these new commuters now reside in areas beyond the region’s traditional commuter belt, such as Suffolk County.

This growth has been disproportionately driven by women in dual-income households, many of which now require more flexible arrangements to manage work and home life. With 76% of top-earning households being dual-income, this demographic is increasingly influential in workplace planning.

Return-to-Office Mandates and Career Trade-Offs

Stricter in-office policies are no longer limited to Wall Street. Financial services, tech, and professional services firms are reinforcing expectations for in-person attendance. As flexibility around commuting narrows, some families are reconsidering job roles — or even whether both partners can realistically stay in the workforce.

Real Estate Decisions Driven by Transit and Timing

Offices located near major transit hubs like Penn Station and Grand Central are outperforming others in terms of employee attendance and leasing activity. According to JLL, proximity to reliable transportation is increasingly seen as a competitive advantage, as companies try to accommodate commutes without sacrificing productivity.

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The firm emphasizes that commute-related decisions are now a business issue, not just a lifestyle preference. Office location, team structure, and the in-office experience must all work together to meet employee expectations while maintaining operational goals.

Nationwide Impact Beyond New York

While New York City is a focal point, similar patterns are appearing across other major U.S. cities. JLL’s analysis of mobile data shows that places like Chicago and San Francisco have seen even more dramatic changes in when employees leave their offices.

Companies are now being challenged to design workplace strategies that reflect the current needs of their workforce. Rather than relying on outdated office models or purely remote setups, JLL argues that a more thoughtful, data-informed approach is necessary.

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