{"id":40359,"date":"2025-01-20T12:27:41","date_gmt":"2025-01-20T17:27:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saratoga.com\/saratogabusinessjournal\/?p=40359"},"modified":"2025-01-20T12:27:41","modified_gmt":"2025-01-20T17:27:41","slug":"economic-outlook-2025-is-a-return-to-the-office-in-the-offing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saratoga.com\/saratogabusinessjournal\/2025\/01\/economic-outlook-2025-is-a-return-to-the-office-in-the-offing\/","title":{"rendered":"Economic Outlook 2025: Is A Return To The Office In The Offing?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Dorothy Rogers-Bullis, owner of drb Business Interiors in Saratoga Springs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Dorothy Rogers-Bullis<\/p>\n

As we step into 2025, the question on everyone\u2019s mind remains: \u201cWhat\u2019s going on with Return to Office RTO)?\u201d My answer? It depends.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been asked this question so many times, I should probably print it on a t-shirt. As the president of drb Business Interiors and co-founder of Saratoga CoWorks, I\u2019ve seen the challenges and opportunities from every angle\u2014whether it\u2019s a business owner trying to coax employees back to the office or an employee wondering if they can work from home in their pajamas just one more day. Spoiler alert: It\u2019s complicated.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Making the Office Worth the Commute<\/p>\n

When business owners ask, \u201cHow do I get my employees back in the office?\u201d My first response is simple: Make the office worth coming back to. Let\u2019s face it, if your office looks like a scene from a 1990s sitcom (complete with beige cubicles and fluorescent lights), why would anyone trade their home office\u2014where the coffee is free, the dress code is sweatpants, and there\u2019s a dog under the desk?<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s offices need to offer more than just a place to work. Think ergonomic chairs that don\u2019t scream \u201cchiropractor visit pending,\u201d collaborative spaces that spark creativity, and yes, even some creature comforts like good coffee and snacks. In 2024, we redesigned countless offices to include these features, helping businesses create environments that employees actually want to be in.<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>The Flexibility Factor<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not just about the furniture. Flexibility is the name of the game. For decades, the 8-to-5, Monday-to-Friday schedule was the gold standard. Now, employees want hybrid schedules that let them balance work and life without sacrificing either. Business owners who adapt\u2014offering staggered schedules or remote work options\u2014often find that productivity improves along with morale.<\/p>\n

That said, flexibility must be carefully managed. Many employees have shared that working from home often comes with higher expectations for productivity. Without clear boundaries, this can lead to burnout. Striking the right balance is crucial. Instead of offering one work-from-home day each week, some businesses find that a few days a month makes more sense. Again, it depends on the business and the team.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>The Shift in Employee Sentiment<\/p>\n

Interestingly, the once-universal love affair with remote work is cooling off. When I ask employees if they enjoy working from home, many now say, \u201cNo. I miss the energy of the office.\u201d This shift presents an opportunity for businesses to redefine what the office means: a space for connection, collaboration, and culture.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also a mentorship gap to consider. When employees aren\u2019t in the office, they miss out on organic opportunities to learn from senior staff. Those spontaneous moments\u2014sharing ideas over coffee or receiving advice in a hallway conversation\u2014are critical for professional growth. Being in a professional environment not only improves your skill set and helps with networking, but it\u2019s also better for your mental health than working alone at home. In industries like finance, tech, and creative fields, these interactions foster innovation and skill development, laying the foundation for long-term business growth.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Coworking: A Creative Solution<\/p>\n

For some businesses, traditional office spaces aren\u2019t the answer. That\u2019s where coworking comes in. At Saratoga CoWorks, we\u2019ve seen everyone from solopreneurs to Fortune 500 teams embrace coworking as a flexible, cost-effective alternative. It\u2019s the best of both worlds: professional space without the overhead.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve even worked with companies who maintain coworking memberships for their teams and gather the whole crew for retreats a few times a year. It\u2019s a model that fosters both collaboration and community\u2014without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>The Future: Embracing Adaptability<\/p>\n

So, where does this leave us in 2025? The truth is, there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all solution. Whether it\u2019s redesigning office spaces to make them irresistible or embracing hybrid and coworking models, the key is adaptability.<\/p>\n

At DRB Business Interiors, we specialize in creating customized work environments that meet the unique needs of your business and team. If you\u2019re ready to transform your workspace into a hub of productivity and collaboration, let\u2019s talk. After all, in the ever-evolving world of work, the best approach depends on your specific goals\u2014and we\u2019re here to help you achieve them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Dorothy Rogers-Bullis As we step into 2025, the question on everyone\u2019s mind remains: \u201cWhat\u2019s going on with Return to Office RTO)?\u201d My answer? It depends. I\u2019ve been asked this question so many times, I should probably print it on a t-shirt. As the president of drb Business Interiors and co-founder of Saratoga CoWorks, I\u2019ve […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":89,"featured_media":40360,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[148],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40359","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economic-outlook-2025"],"yoast_head":"\r\nEconomic Outlook 2025: Is A Return To The Office In The Offing? - Saratoga Business Journal<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\r\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saratoga.com\/saratogabusinessjournal\/2025\/01\/economic-outlook-2025-is-a-return-to-the-office-in-the-offing\/\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Economic Outlook 2025: Is A Return To The Office In The Offing? - Saratoga Business Journal\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"By Dorothy Rogers-Bullis As we step into 2025, the question on everyone\u2019s mind remains: \u201cWhat\u2019s going on with Return to Office RTO)?\u201d My answer? 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