The Guardian Business EN

Average UK office attendance ‘settling’ at highest level since before Covid

Figure above 40% every week since early January as report says situation ‘no longer in freefall nor in recovery’Workers are heading back to offices across the UK in droves, pushing office occupancy to the highest since before the Covid-19 pandemic, as an expert described the numbers as “no longer in freefall nor in recovery mode but settling”.Investment banks such as Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chasehave led the push with strict return-to-office mandates despite anger among many employees about being ordered back to the office five days a week. Companies in other sectors have also increased days in the office but many businesses, including law and accounting firms, still allow staff to work remotely two days a week. Continue reading...

Mar 09, 2026 &03000909202631; 06:00 UTC www.theguardian.com Trending 2/5

Read original on www.theguardian.com ↗

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Positive for markets

Sentiment score: +65/100

Moderate impact Medium-term (weeks)

WHAT THIS MEANS

UK office attendance has stabilized at over 40% weekly since early January, reaching pre-pandemic levels as major investment banks enforce strict return-to-office mandates. This stabilization suggests the market has found an equilibrium point after the post-Covid volatility, with potential positive implications for commercial real estate and office-dependent service sectors.

AI CONFIDENCE

75% High

SENTIMENT GAUGE

NEWS POWER SCORE

AFFECTED ASSETS

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IT→.MI

IT→.MIStock

Expected to rise

Italian financial and banking stocks benefit from increased office activity and return-to-office trends in major financial centers

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EU→.PA

EU→.PAStock

Expected to rise

European commercial real estate and office services companies gain from stabilized higher occupancy rates

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Euro Stoxx 50

^STOXX50EIndex

Expected to rise

European financial and commercial services sectors within the index benefit from normalized office attendance patterns

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S&P 500

^GSPCIndex

Expected to rise

US investment banks leading the trend supports broader financial sector sentiment and commercial real estate recovery

PRICE HISTORY

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⚡ SUGGESTED ACTION

Long financial services and commercial real estate exposure as office normalization supports these sectors. Monitor for any reversal signals from tech companies or professional services firms that may resist strict RTO policies.

KEY SIGNALS

Office occupancy stabilized above 40% weeklyPre-pandemic attendance levels achievedInvestment banks enforcing strict RTO mandatesMarket equilibrium reached after post-Covid volatilityCommercial real estate demand stabilizing

SECTORS INVOLVED

Financial ServicesCommercial Real EstateOffice ServicesBankingProfessional Services

Analysis generated on Mar 09, 2026 at 14:55 UTC

Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by artificial intelligence for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, investment recommendation, or solicitation. Original reporting by The Guardian Business. Always conduct your own research and consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Average UK office attendance ‘settling’ at highest level since before Covid

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