NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Less than 30% of Manhattan office workers have returned to their desks and fewer than half are expected to return by the end of January, according to a new survey.
According to the Partnership for New York City, employers expect that just 49% of all office workers will return on an average weekday by Jan. 30, 2022.
That will be up from the current level of 28%, but the survey suggests that remote work will continue heavily through the new year.
“The impact of the pandemic is long term, not short term for New York City,” Kathryn Wylde, of the Partnership for New York City, told WCBS 880.
In October, and average of 8% of Manhattan office workers were in the office five days a week. By January, that number is expected to grow to 13%.
Still, the survey found that 80% of Manhattan employers expect a permanent change in their remote work policies and more than a third of companies expect to see a reduction in their New York City office space requirements over the next five years.
Industries where attendance is expected to grow include real estate (currently at 77%), law firms and financial services (with 27% each).
Real estate firms said they predict 80% average daily attendance of Manhattan employees by the end of January, while law firms expect 61% and financial services firms anticipate 47%.
Employers with 5,000 workers or more said they expect just 46% to be back in the office at any frequency in two months’ time.
On the slow return to the office, 48% of employers citied COVID-19 as the largest deterrent with 33% of companies saying employees’ preference for remote work was also a factor. Challenges with child car, commuting issues and perceptions of public safety were also reasons given.
“People have gotten used to, during the [pandemic], of having two hours back in their day that they didn't have when they were commuting,” Wylde noted.
Still, New York State lawmakers are urging workers to return to their pre-pandemic routines. Gov. Kathy Hochul even stressed that Manhattan is safe and workers should not be deterred by their perceptions of the city.
“We are the safest community in the country. The infection rate in Manhattan, as we're referring to Manhattan right now, is at about 1%,” said Hochul.
She said innovation and creativity only happen when people come together.
“Come on back, it's safe, we miss you,” she said.
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