Back to the office has become a growing chorus from employers in different industries for a host of reasons: Higher productivity, greater innovative thinking—two heads—or 50—are better than one—and even an enhanced healthfulness, according to some.

But how well is this new trend working? Placer.ai's Nationwide Office Building Index recently looked at 800 office buildings. The results in its June 2023 recap don't reflect a roaring rush back, based on data from the first five months of the year. Numbers were more than the majority at 60% of pre-pandemic levels but that still means many aren't returning.

Indeed, in a separate measure that uses different criteria, Kastle Systems is reporting that office attendance has once again dipped below the 50% mark across 10 major US cities in recent weeks, despite the mandates.