Over the past decade, many companies have reconsidered the role of the office. A recent survey of 400 mid-sized firms found that 62 percent had adopted some form of hybrid work, in which employees spend part of the week at home and part at the office. The firms that reported the highest satisfaction among staff were not those that allowed the most days at home, but those that set clear rules about which days teams should meet in person. Managers at these firms said that predictable schedules made it easier to plan meetings and training sessions. However, the survey also pointed to costs. Several firms that reduced their office space found that meeting rooms were overcrowded on popular days, particularly Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Some responded by introducing a booking system for desks, while others rented additional space on a short-term basis. The researchers noted that the savings from smaller offices were often smaller than expected because of these extra arrangements. The report concluded that hybrid work is neither a simple cost-saving measure nor a guaranteed way to improve morale. Its success depends largely on how carefully it is organized.

Some firms that reduced their office space rented additional space for short periods.