As more corporations mandate stricter return-to-office policies in 2025, in-person workplace attendance continues to climb, and in some major metros, it’s nearing pre-pandemic levels. April 2025 was the third-busiest month for office visits since the pandemic began, trailing only October and July 2024. Still, nationwide traffic remained 30.7% below April 2019 levels, according to the latest Placer.ai Nationwide Office Building Index, which analyzes foot traffic using cellphone data from around 1,000 office buildings across the U.S.
Despite April’s momentum, most markets have yet to fully recover. Midweek days, particularly Tuesdays and Wednesdays, remain the busiest, while Fridays continue to lag, according to Placer.ai.
The recent uptick marks a rebound from a slump earlier this year, when office traffic bottomed out at 36.3% below pre-pandemic norms. Analysts cite a combination of factors behind the recovery, including a more employer-friendly job market and a broader push for in-office work across both the private sector and government agencies.
Still, a full return may not be on the horizon. Even as visits rise, many experts believe a new office normal is taking shape, one that likely won’t mirror the five-day office routine of the past.
*Article courtesy of Philadelphia Business Journal
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