Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, working from home has become the norm, and companies around the world are struggling to find the best way to balance office and work from home. As we approach the 2024 finish line, it is becoming clear that return to office (RTO) policies are becoming increasingly common, both internationally and here in Belgium. Let's take a look at how some of the world's most well-known companies have evolved their RTO policies and what this means for the Belgian commercial real estate market.

Amazon

Amazon's RTO policy has undergone significant changes:

• 2021: Team leaders decided on home or office work.
• 2023: Employees must be in the office three days a week.
• 2025: From January 2025, all employees will have to work in the office five days a week.

Airbnb

Airbnb has adopted a flexible approach:

• 2022: Introduced a “Live and Work from Anywhere” policy
• 2024: Allows employees to work from home or anywhere in their country, with quarterly meetings in person.

Apple

Apple's RTO policy has been quite controversial in recent years:

• 2020: Initially implemented a work-from-home model.
• 2022: Moved to a hybrid model with two days in the office.
• 2023: Increased to three days a week, with employee resistance.

Citigroup

Citigroup's policy has become stricter:

• 2021: Introduced a hybrid work model.
• 2023: Began to enforce stricter RTO policies, using pass data to track attendance.

Disney

Disney has made a significant shift:

• 2020: Adopted a flexible approach.
• 2023: Mandated a return to the office four days a week.

eBay

eBay has focused on a flexible work environment:

• 2021: Implemented a hybrid model
• 2022: Leaned more on working from home, with the office available for collaboration.

J.P. Morgan

J.P. Morgan has gradually enforced stricter rules:

• 2021: Initiated a gradual return to the office.
• 2023: Required executives to be in the office five days a week and other employees three days a week.

meta

Meta has also enforced stricter work-from-home rules:

• 2021: Allowed most employees to work from home indefinitely.
• 2023: Required hybrid employees to be in the office three days a week.

Spotify

Spotify maintains a flexible policy:

• 2021: Introduced a “Work from Everywhere” policy.
• 2024: Allowed employees to work from home, the office, or from anywhere.

X (formerly Twitter)

X has made a significant shift:

• 2020: Announced a permanent work-from-home policy.
• 2022: Began to force a return to the office.
• 2023: Finalized the RTO policy, which requires employees to be in the office at least three days a week.
• 2024: Now oblige employees to work 40 hours a week in the office.

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As these global trends indicate, returning to the office is becoming increasingly common. This trend is also increasing in Belgium. Companies recognize the value of personal collaboration and the need for a physical workspace. This trend is likely to drive demand for corporate real estate as companies look for office spaces that can house their returning workers.

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1. Flexibility is key: While some companies are forcing a full return to the office, others are opting for hybrid models. Belgian companies should consider what works best for their employees and business operations.
2. Demand for office space: With more companies requiring their employees to return to the office, demand for office real estate is likely to increase. This offers opportunities for investors and property owners.
3. Employee wellbeing: Balancing work from home with office commitments is critical to employee satisfaction and productivity. Companies must ensure that their RTO policies are well communicated and tailored to the needs of employees.

The global trend towards stricter RTO policies is a clear indication that while working from home has its benefits, it cannot fully replace the value of face-to-face interactions and that the future of work is likely to include a mix of home and office work. In Belgium, this shift is already underway, and it offers opportunities for the commercial real estate sector. As companies adapt to these changes, it's crucial that real estate firms lead the way by offering innovative office solutions that meet the new hybrid work model.