Media still undercounting return-to-office phenomenon
For example, Crain's last week questioned whether the 345 Park Ave. murders would 'impact the city's already stagnant return-to-office rates.'
The story based its 'stagnant' claim partly on the Partnership for New York City's supposed finding that only '57% of Manhattan office workers had returned on the average workday.'
3 The Midtown shooting happened at 345 Park Ave.
AFP via Getty Images
3 An NYPD police officer stands at the shattered glass entrance to 345 Park Avenue after the shooting.
John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock
3 NYC office capacity was never full — even during pre-COVID times.
Tierney – stock.adobe.com
That — like many similar off-base readings of data — made it sound as if Manhattan offices that were full before 2020 are now barely more than half full.
What the Partnership actually said in March was that 57% of workers in offices at the time 'equates to 76% of respondents' pre-pandemic attendance.'
In other words, pre-pandemic offices were not 100% occupied — they never were — but 75% occupied. That's because 57 is 76% of 75.
The 19% difference between 76% and 57% is much less than an alleged 43% gap between 100% and 57%.
And with so many CEO's calling their staffs back, the 19% gap can only continue to shrink further.
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16 minutes ago
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Miami Herald
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