The workplace landscape is evolving, and San Francisco is at the heart of this transformation. According to the Bay Area Council’s 2025 Return to Office Survey, hybrid work remains a staple, but employees are spending less time working from home. Let’s dive into the latest trends, what they mean for businesses, employees, and the city’s economy, and how companies are adapting.

Hybrid Work: Still Dominant, But Shifting

Hybrid work is here to stay, with 63% of Bay Area employees on hybrid schedules in February 2025, up from 44% in October 2021. However, the average number of days worked from home has dropped from nearly three days per week in 2021 to just two days in 2025, with many employees now working remotely only one day a week.

Why the shift? Employers are prioritizing in-person collaboration, workplace culture, and productivity. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are the most popular days for office attendance, signaling a return to structured office routines.

Key takeaway: Hybrid work is the norm, but the balance is tipping toward more office time, reshaping how businesses and employees approach work.

Employers Push for More Office Attendance

Bay Area companies are doubling down on in-person work. Nearly 25% of surveyed firms plan to update their workplace attendance policies within the next six months, with 40% of companies employing over 10,000 people leading the charge to bring workers back more frequently.

This push isn’t just about productivity. As Jim Wunderman, CEO of the Bay Area Council, notes, “In-person work has big benefits in terms of workplace culture, collaboration, and productivity and it also supports a vibrant local business economy.” From San Francisco’s downtown restaurants to retailers, the return of office workers is a lifeline for businesses still recovering from the pandemic’s impact.

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Boosting Downtown San Francisco’s Economy

The increase in office attendance is good news for San Francisco’s local economy. More commuters mean more foot traffic for restaurateurs, retailers, and public transit systems, which have struggled since the pandemic.

“Understanding these workplace changes can help us reimagine our downtown and office spaces to make them more appealing,” Wunderman adds. This could mean more vibrant, worker-friendly downtown areas designed to meet the needs of today’s hybrid workforce.

Pro tip: If you’re a local business owner, consider offering lunch specials or commuter discounts on Tuesdays through Thursdays to capitalize on peak office days.

Real Estate Adapts to the New Normal

Commercial real estate is also feeling the shift. Companies like JPMorganChase are expanding their presence in San Francisco, with investments in spaces like 560 Mission St. To attract workers, employers are focusing on amenities—think fitness centers, cafes, and collaborative workspaces.

Jeff Bellisario, executive director of the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, explains, “There’s definitely a shift in how real estate is thought about from a corporate level.” However, he cautions that future demand for office space will likely come from new businesses and startups, not a return of pre-pandemic tech giants.

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What’s Next for San Francisco’s Workforce?

The Bay Area Council’s survey, which began in 2021 to track commute patterns, will end with this report. But its findings offer a roadmap for the future. The City and County of San Francisco, University of California, and San Francisco Unified School District remain the city’s largest employers, anchoring the local economy.

As hybrid work evolves, businesses must balance employee flexibility with the benefits of in-person collaboration. For employees, this means adapting to new schedules and expectations. And for San Francisco, it’s an opportunity to reimagine downtown as a hub for innovation and connection.

Call to action: How is your workplace adapting to hybrid work? Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with us on social media to join the conversation!