Let’s Talk Workplace Trends
As fall begins, many Boston employers are tightening return-to-office policies. A recent Boston Business Journal survey found that most companies plan to increase on-site expectations before the start of 2026. Keep reading to see what that may mean for you 👀
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A Push from Boston Employers for More Time in the Office
As summer ends and families settle back into routine, many Boston employers are signaling a stronger push for employees to return to the office. A recent sampling by the Boston Business Journal of more than a dozen companies (including J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., TD Bank, K&L Gates, Foley Hoag, Withum, and the Associated Industries of Massachusetts) found that most plan to require greater in-office presence this fall or at the start of 2026.
Some companies have already fully transitioned. At J.P. Morgan Chase, for instance, all 2,200 Massachusetts employees are now back in the office full time. Others, such as law firm Foley Hoag, remain committed to hybrid models. The firm, which employs about 680 people across five offices, continues to require three in-office days per week. Managing Partner Jim Bucking noted the firm’s focus is on improving compliance with the current policy rather than expanding time in the office.
Nationwide, office attendance is rebounding more quickly, with Placer.ai data showing July as the busiest month for in-office activity since the pandemic began, reaching nearly 80% of July 2019 levels
- Major Cities:
- New York: Office visits exceeded July 2019 levels.
- Miami: Nearly identical to pre-pandemic levels.
- Atlanta: Down just 15% from 2019.
- Boston: Up 12.1% year-over-year, but still 30.9% below July 2019.
- Flex Report findings:
- Nearly 34% of major U.S. employers now require full-time office work (up 2% in the past year).
- 71 Fortune 100 companies still offer hybrid schedules, most commonly three days per week.
- Required office time has risen 12% nationally since early 2024, but actual attendance increased only 1% to 3%.
For Boston’s workforce, the message is clear: expectations for in-office presence are on the rise. With hybrid schedules still the norm, compliance and culture will play a larger role than mandates alone. For now, Boston’s recovery continues at a slower pace than other major U.S. cities.
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