The main focus during the pandemic was on cost-saving strategies and a level of downsizing driven by new working practices. That said, despite media commentators devoting much of their analysis to the demise of the corporate office, we are now seeing an about face by many organisations, which are once again recognising the positive aspects of the office environment and actively encouraging staff to return to their desks at least a few days a week.
A consensus seems to be emerging that the end result will be a hybrid model, with staff able to work more flexibly from the office, home or other locations. Most employers still haven’t concluded what levels of office occupancy will be in the medium term. Flexible working is clearly here to stay, but we are going to see occupancy peaks and troughs.
In our ‘CRE - Our industry today, tomorrow & beyond’ report I look at how the complexity of the post-pandemic environment for occupiers is placing a premium on deal-makers who bring creativity and a full suite of skills to the negotiating table.
