From RTO to ITO: Evolving Our Workplace Conversation
The COVID pandemic fundamentally shifted our understanding of work. What began as an emergency measure—working remotely—quickly became the new standard for many. As we move beyond pandemic-era thinking, our focus must shift from returning to office (RTO) to the more meaningful question: "Why be in the office (ITO)?"
The Remote Revolution's Mixed Legacy
Working remotely delivered undeniable benefits: eliminated commutes, reduced expenses, and for many, improved work-life integration. Employees embraced this flexibility, with some relocating to new cities or even countries, untethered from physical office requirements.
However, this transformation created significant challenges for urban ecosystems. Commercial districts suffered as peripheral businesses—from coffee shops to dry cleaners—struggled without their traditional customer base. Office occupancy rates remained persistently low, averaging under two days per week in many markets, with significant regional variations showing stronger in-office presence in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East compared to the Americas.
Beyond Binary Thinking
The conversation has matured beyond the simplistic "remote vs. office" debate. Forward-thinking organizations recognize that meaningful in-office experiences must be deliberately designed, not mandated without purpose.
Companies that successfully attract employees to physical workspaces have reimagined these environments. Gone are assigned desks and formal offices, replaced by thoughtful collaboration spaces, technology-enhanced meeting areas, and amenities that create experiences unavailable at home. The most effective workplace strategies acknowledge that offices serve distinct purposes from remote settings—they foster innovation through spontaneous interaction, strengthen organizational culture, and provide mentoring opportunities that virtual environments struggle to replicate.
Regional Nuances
Workplace preferences exhibit strong regional characteristics. While some markets have embraced hybrid models permanently, others have seen stronger returns to traditional patterns. These variations reflect cultural differences, commuting infrastructures, housing conditions, and leadership philosophies that resist one-size-fits-all solutions.
The Path Forward
As we continue navigating this transition, organizations must focus on creating purpose-driven workplace strategies that answer the fundamental question: "What experiences make in-office work worthwhile?" This means:
Designing spaces that facilitate activities difficult to replicate remotely
Creating compelling community experiences that strengthen organizational bonds
Establishing clear expectations about in-office purposes rather than arbitrary schedules
Recognizing that different functions and teams may require different in-office patterns
The most successful organizations will develop workplace approaches that enhance productivity while honoring employees' desire for flexibility. By shifting from mandates to meaningful experiences, companies can create office environments that employees choose to visit because the value is self-evident.
The future isn't about returning to pre-pandemic patterns, nor is it about abandoning offices entirely. It's about purposeful presence—being in the office when it matters most.
Lisa Jebodhsingh-Proverbs, JLL
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Lisa is the Senior Director of Research for the Southeast Region, and manages a team that is responsible for providing analysis, insights, and best-in-class research for JLL markets across the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. She tracks and analyzes key economic and market fundamentals across the commercial real estate landscape and partners with brokerage and capital markets to provide insights and thought leadership to owners, investors, and occupiers.
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