Huan Qiu Shi Bao·2025-09-24 23:06Core Viewpoint - Major companies in the U.S. are struggling to enforce in-office attendance policies despite implementing stricter regulations, with overall attendance rates remaining stagnant and employee resistance evident [1][2]. Group 1: Company Policies and Trends - Companies like The New York Times, Microsoft, Paramount, and NBCUniversal are mandating increased in-office attendance, with The New York Times requiring employees to be in the office at least four days a week starting in November, and Microsoft planning a three-day in-office requirement from February [2]. - A survey by "Forward Work" indicates that the demand for in-office attendance has increased by 12% compared to early last year [2]. - Despite these mandates, approximately 25% of employees continue to work from home, a figure consistent with 2023 data, suggesting a potential long-term trend [2][3]. Group 2: Operational Challenges - Companies face logistical issues such as insufficient workspaces, limited parking, and a shortage of meeting rooms when pushing for full-time office attendance, as seen with Amazon and Dell [3]. - Amazon has emphasized that most employees have returned to the office and have fixed workspaces, despite the challenges [3]. Group 3: Employee Resistance and Management Concerns - Some companies are adopting a more gradual approach, allowing existing employees to maintain flexible or remote work arrangements while requiring new hires to be in the office four days a week [4]. - There are concerns that strict attendance policies may lead to the loss of key talent, with nearly half of surveyed senior managers willing to accept pay cuts for the option to work from home [2][4]. - The Federal Reserve's August economic report noted that some employers are using return-to-office policies as a means to encourage natural attrition among staff [4]. Group 4: Regional Variations and Compliance Issues - There is a notable regional disparity in the enforcement of in-office policies, with firms like JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs in New York pushing for full-time attendance, resulting in increased subway ridership to pre-pandemic levels [5]. - Nationally, office attendance remains one-third lower than pre-pandemic levels, with larger companies' mandates drawing more attention compared to smaller firms that still favor remote work [5]. - A survey by CBRE indicates that compliance rates drop significantly when attendance requirements exceed one day per week, highlighting widespread employee resistance to stricter policies [5].