RTO Efforts Fail to Reduce WFH Significantly Since 2023
Despite intense pressure from companies and governments, the share of full paid days worked from home has declined by only about 1 percentage point per year since early 2023, according to data from WFH Research. As of March 2026, WFH stands at 26.9%, nearly four times the pre-pandemic level of 7%. Kastle's Back-to-Work Barometer shows office occupancy in top 10 U.S. cities at 54.9%, with Austin highest at 80% and San Francisco lowest at 44%. Hybrid models dominate in information (49%), finance (41%), real estate (42%), and professional services (35%). Workers' desired WFH days far exceed actual arrangements, with only 28.5% wanting zero WFH versus 61.6% currently having none.
Key facts
- WFH share declined by about 1 percentage point per year since early 2023
- March 2026 WFH share: 26.9% of full paid days
- WFH share in 2019 was around 7%
- Kastle's Top 10 Cities Average office occupancy: 54.9% in early April 2026
- Austin office occupancy: ~80%; San Francisco: ~44%
- Class A+ buildings occupancy: 74.5%
- 61.6% of workers have zero WFH days; only 28.5% want zero
- Information industry: 30% fully on site, 21% full WFH, 49% hybrid
Entities
Institutions
- WFH Research
- Kastle Systems
- Trump administration
- Wolf Street
Locations
- Austin
- Philadelphia
- San Francisco
- Chicago
- New York City
- United States