The Rising Costs of Returning to the Office: A 2019 vs. Today Comparison
A recent report from Owl Labs reveals that 66% of workers are back in the office five days a week, compared to 41% in 2022. However, returning to the office has become significantly more expensive, with workers spending an average of $51 per day, including costs for lunch, commuting, breakfast and coffee, and parking. Full-time office workers spend around $1,020 per month, while hybrid workers spend an average of $408 per month. The top work perk that would encourage hybrid employees to return more often is having commuting costs covered. The time and cost of commuting are major factors influencing employees' decisions to work remotely or go into the office.