Back in the groove: How fall and Fridays are shaping workplace trends

As the season shifts from summer to fall, a distinct pattern is emerging in U.S. offices. The ebb and flow of employee traffic to the workplace reveals fascinating insights into how employees are adjusting to hybrid work models post-pandemic and how both Fridays and the fall season are impacting in-office attendance. From the lowest foot traffic on Fridays to the return of consistency in the fall, let’s dive into what Envoy’s data reveals about the future of work.

Fridays: The day everyone’s missing

TGIF—right? For many, Friday is the unofficial start of the weekend, the day to wind down and recharge. Unsurprisingly, this sentiment shows up in the numbers. The average percentage of employee foot traffic on Fridays stands at just 10.6% of the weekly total, a stark contrast to 25.6% on Tuesdays, 24.6% on Wednesdays, and 22.7% on Thursdays. Clearly, the end of the week is when employees prefer to work remotely.

Why the low Friday numbers? The rise of hybrid work models, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, plays a significant role. Many employees now choose to come in mid-week for in-person collaboration and save Fridays for focused, heads-down work at home. The dreaded Friday evening commute likely plays a part, too—no one wants to get stuck in traffic when they’re trying to kick off their weekend.

Cities with the least Friday foot traffic

Foot traffic data shows that some U.S. cities are even more likely to see a near-empty office on Fridays. Here are a few of the largest U.S. cities with lower-than-average employee foot traffic on Fridays:

1. Washington, DC (9.3%)
2. Dallas (8.1%)
3. Chicago (7.9%)
4. Denver (7.4%)
5. Austin (7.1%)

Not surprisingly, all 5 of these cities appear on the list of the cities with the worst road traffic (according to a Consumer Affairs 2024 report). As employees aim to finish their workweek on Fridays, heavy traffic congestion may discourage in-office attendance, pushing them toward remote work options to avoid stressful commutes.

Fall brings a return to consistency

As temperatures drop and the rhythm of fall takes over, employees are heading back to the office with more regularity. Envoy’s data shows that office foot traffic saw a 5% increase in August compared to July, signaling the start of a more consistent work pattern. Notably, August registered the most stable workplace attendance of the summer, with weekly fluctuations in attendance dropping to just 3%.

This fall, the workweek is becoming a well-oiled machine. After months of unpredictable schedules, employees are settling into steady routines, showing up to the office with greater consistency. This is a significant shift and one that employers should pay attention to, as it signals a renewed commitment to in-person collaboration.

What this means for businesses

The shift toward a more reliable workweek, combined with the enduring trend of low Friday attendance, provides crucial insights for businesses. With more stable in-office attendance, companies can better plan for space utilization, optimize resources for in-person collaboration, and fine-tune flexible work models.

As we move further into the fall, businesses have an opportunity to embrace this newfound stability and foster environments where flexibility and consistency coexist. By leveraging these trends, employers can create dynamic workplaces that enhance productivity, employee satisfaction, and the overall office experience.

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This blog is a part of Envoy's Data Snack Series. Check out our previous posts, "The big city buzz: Office traffic surges in 2024" and "Summer Fridays aren't real: Employees aren't going into the office on Friday year-round." Tune in for future workplace insights!