The office comeback continues: January 2025 workplace insights

After years of hybrid work models shaping the workplace, companies are placing a greater emphasis on in-person collaboration. New data shows that office foot traffic in January 2025 increased by 10.34% compared to January 2024, highlighting a growing shift toward more frequent office attendance.

More people are going into the office on Thursdays and Fridays

While hybrid work remains popular, the distribution of office visits throughout the week is shifting.

Compared to January 2024:‍

• Thursdays and Fridays saw the largest increases in office foot traffic.
• Monday grew but at a slower pace.
• Tuesday and Wednesday remained relatively flat.

This suggests that workers may be shifting toward a more even in-office schedule rather than only coming in once or twice a week. Companies encouraging collaboration and in-person meetings may be influencing this trend, making Thursday and Friday key office days once again.

Where is office traffic growing the most?

Major cities across the U.S. are seeing a surge in office attendance. Some metro areas experienced double-digit growth from January 2024 to January 2025, while others showed more modest increases.

• Chicago: 44.29% increase
• New York City: 15.37% increase
• San Francisco: 9.71% increase
• Washington, D.C.: 2.31% increase

Chicago stands out with a massive 44.29% YoY increase, potentially due to a combination of stricter in-office policies and a broader recovery in corporate headquarters foot traffic.

Which industries are leading the charge?

The return to office isn’t uniform across industries—some sectors are embracing in-person work at a faster pace than others. When compared to January 2024, here’s what some industries experienced in January 2025:

• Professional Services: 18.84% increase
• Pharma & Biotech: 15.57% increase
• Technology: 15.33% increase
• Manufacturing: 14.03% increase
• Food & Beverage + Consumer Goods: 8.87% increase

The professional services sector saw the highest growth, jumping 18.84% YoY, reflecting an industry-wide push for in-person collaboration. Meanwhile, despite their deep investment in remote work, tech companies also recorded a 15.33% increase, suggesting a balancing act between flexibility and in-person engagement.

What’s next for workplace trends?

As more employees return to the office, businesses must prioritize the employee experience to sustain and build on this momentum. Investing in workplace experience, flexible policies, and collaborative environments isn’t just a nice to have—it’s essential for attracting and retaining top talent. The companies that succeed will be those that create office spaces where employees want to work, not just where they have to work.

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This post is part of our Data Snack Series. Check out past blogs for more workplace insights, and stay tuned for more.