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Returning to the office is ‘wildly more expensive’ today than in 2019— here’s how much people are spending

Jennifer LiuCNBC
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The time and cost of commuting is one factor why Yannique Ivey, 27, only goes into the office for her tech consulting job a few times a month. 
Camera IconThe time and cost of commuting is one factor why Yannique Ivey, 27, only goes into the office for her tech consulting job a few times a month.  Credit: vlrondon/Pixabay (user vlrondon)

The majority of workers say they’re back in the office five days a week, and they’re paying up for it.

In 2023, 66 per cent of workers say they’re in-office five days a week, up dramatically from 41 per cent who were in the office full-time in 2022, according a recent report from videoconferencing company Owl Labs.

The report, which surveyed 2000 full-time US workers in June, found that 26 per cent of workers are hybrid this year, and just 7 per cent are fully remote.

Those returning to offices are paying a lot to be there, the report finds. Workers spend on average $US51 ($80) per day when they go to the office, including a daily average of:

  • $US16 on lunch
  • $US14 on commuting
  • $US13 on breakfast and coffee
  • $US8 on parking

Workers with pets also spend an average of $US20 per day on pet care.

Full-time office workers are spending roughly $US1020 every month to report to the workplace, while hybrid workers spend an average of $US408 per month on attendance.

“There’s no question” working from the office is ’wildly more expensive” today than it was pre-pandemic, says Frank Weishaupt, CEO of Owl Labs.

So it’s not surprising to him that, when asked what work perks would get hybrid employees to return in-person more often, the number one response was if their commuting costs were covered (38 per cent), over other things like free food, child-care subsidies or a relaxed dress code.

The time and cost of commuting is one factor why Yannique Ivey, 27, only goes into the office for her tech consulting job a few times a month.

During rush hour, she can expect to be on the road for an hour-plus, and then she’s on her own to cover the $US20 daily parking fee at her downtown Atlanta office. As a result, Ms Ivey is vocal about keeping an 11am to 3pm schedule during her in-office days and takes advantage of the free catered lunch while she’s there.

Companies should look into taking away that barrier to RTO, Mr Weishaupt says.

“If their desire is to get employees back into the office, there are triggers. Are you going to help offset the cost of my commuting? If you’re trying to attract somebody back into the office, you might consider that as a supplement that you can handle.”

CNBC

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