Depending on what you read, employees are demanding to work from home and remotely, or employers are adamant about getting people back in the office. Away from the emotionally laden headlines, the truth of the matter is that the trend is somewhere in between.

The “2022 BOMA International COVID-19 Commercial Real Estate Impact Study” questioned 1,200 U.S. commercial office space decision-makers. Despite what headlines and pundits would have anyone believe, employers and employees both are supportive of hybrid work. In fact, more than six in 10 members of each group want to be back in the office at least three days a week.

Specifically:

• 76% of respondents indicated that their employees are “genuinely supportive of returning to their physical office space

• Support for telework “has remained stable year over year,” with more investments continuing in that area

• 16% of employees support 100% remote work, with another 10% saying they’d like a company-provided space closer to home

The report also listed tenant responses to what they’d like to see manager and landlords to pursue. This included deep-cleaning and sanitization of office spaces, amenities (like an on-site fitness center with shower, cafeteria with reduced rates for tenants and child/pet care). Also on the “like-to-have” docket were “technology that makes life easier, especially keeping a serene environment, the use of green technology . . .”

From the results, the study concluded by saying that 72% said “yes” to space renewals, “approaching the pre-COVID baseline renewal intensity.” While tenants want a better office experience, and are willing to embrace hybrid working issues, “the crisis in confidence that loomed in 2021—regarding the safe return to the workspace and ongoing commitment to office space—is clearly almost over,” the survey said.