Latest news with #KateDuchene
Newsweek
10 hours ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Office Attendance Is Rising but Slowly, and a Lot Has Changed
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The intensity of the "RTO debate" seems to have cooled as perhaps a new normal sets in. Even though attendance in the office is crawling up, that growth is slowing, and the entire paradigm of how companies use their spaces and to what ends has evolved greatly. While remote work continues to expand broadly, those dreaming of a fully remote future have been upended by some core realities: people are coming back to the office and, in the right circumstances, workers of all ages and levels value some office time. Regardless of their experience, role, function, geography or personal responsibilities, employees are eager to explore opportunities for greater autonomy and flexibility, and their time in the office needs to count. "Largely, we see companies enjoying a hybrid approach of two or three days a week in the office, where employees can collaborate and learn together, while giving workers some flexibility," Kate Duchene, CEO of the HR consulting firm RGP, previously told Newsweek. "If an organization does want employees to spend more time in the physical office, workers need to feel like it is an open and safe space for positive interactions with their peers and that they are having meaningful, purpose-led collaboration that is furthering their work." It's not back to 100 percent, it probably never will be, but weekly average attendance in Class A buildings, those with high-end, recent constructions and modern amenities, typically occupied by major companies and professional services firms, is at 74.8 percent over the last four weeks in the 10 largest U.S. metro areas, according to building security company Kastle Systems' latest office attendance data. On Tuesdays, the most popular day for people to go in, that figure is up to 92.1 percent. Kastle reports that the national average peak day attendance is 62.2 percent, with Chicago, New York City and three Texas cities (Dallas, Houston, Austin) running above average. The national average was under 60 percent at the same time of year in Kastle's 2023 reporting. "We've seen it increasing steadily, but it hasn't been huge," Janet Pogue McLaurin, global director of workplace research at the architecture and design firm Gensler, told Newsweek. Across the workforce, office attendance has been tied to performance reviews and bonuses, while law firms, financial services firms and the tech industry have been announcing attendance mandates. The federal government is also implementing an expansive return-to-office mandate. While it may seem that the remote era is over—the Flex Index reports that office policy changes to "full time in office" increased from 13 percent to 24 percent in the Fortune 500—the reality is a new normal has set in, and flexibility is still on the rise. The segment of companies identifying as hybrid has grown to 43 percent of Fortune 500 firms, while 24 percent are fully remote or allow employees to choose. "I often hear 'Work from home is over' or 'Everyone is returning to the office': That's not true," Nick Bloom, a Stanford economist who rose into prominence in part due to his studies on remote work well before the COVID-19 pandemic, wrote on LinkedIn. "The data shows *The Return to Office* is Over." He cites office cost savings and ease in recruiting and retention among the value drivers for businesses to keep operating in a more flexible manner. So, people are coming back to the office, but the rise has been slow, and a lot has changed, including what the offices look like and what people are doing there. Leading organizations are getting better at using the office as a place for collaboration and activities, while maintaining flexible attendance policies. Getty Images "Employers are investing in 'special events' (e.g., external speakers, cooking demonstrations, etc.) to incentivize returning to the office, with a need for suitable spaces to support these events; 43% of employers have these in place," a paper by the commercial real estate firm JLL reported in February. Many companies are reconfiguring their locations and spaces. The fact that attendance is rising does not change employees' interest in flexibility and autonomy. "Our work days vary tremendously," McLaurin said. "When we think about what employees really want, [it's] access to spaces and the agency to create their ideal work experience." As companies leverage their office space to play a role in recruiting, retention and productivity, they may be encouraged by the finding from Gensler that on a holistic level, the office needs of employees do not have significant variance across generations. "We found that there was very little variance in the ideal work experience that people wanted. It was pretty much all the same at all ages, which is really surprising," she said. "We did not see that the young generation really wants something uniquely different than what everybody wants." Different Places and Spaces In the 2019 version of the office, the majority of the space was for cubicles or desks; perhaps some senior leaders occupied offices, and McLaurin noted that the only other type of space was typically conference rooms of various sizes. Today, a new mix of spaces occupy offices, including cafés, collaboration hubs and tech-equipped conference rooms, along with an emphasis on using outdoor space. A recent study from Gensler found that beyond desks and meeting rooms, workers prioritize the following amenities most: café or food hall, coworking area, lounges and nap rooms. "It used to be that we considered those amenities," McLaurin said. "They were the additive cherry-on-the-top kind of spaces. But now we see that amenities are no longer optional. They're really an important component of creating a great workplace experience." A company's office presence, including the buildings and different cities they are located in, has always had an importance to company strategy. Typically, offices are opened to be accessible for clients, suppliers and employees, and, for a long time, companies have thought about how to equip their headquarters with amenities to keep employees happy, such as the watercooler, snacks or a gym. JLL's authors also noted that "the number of organizations reporting that they have a dedicated community or workplace experience manager on-site has risen from 23 percent to 35 percent in the past year." For companies looking to promote productivity in the workspace, Gensler identified seven main ways of working in the office and then mapped out which office amenities or features contributed best to that type of work. The seven ways of working in the office, according to Gensler. The seven ways of working in the office, according to Gensler. Gensler How different office spaces contribute to the seven modes of office work. How different office spaces contribute to the seven modes of office work. Gensler The researchers then identified which positive impacts can be credited to the office environment, finding the strongest ties were to company brand and identity, enabling people to do their best work, making people feel valued and excited to work for the company, inspiring new thinking and attracting and retaining talent. Employees also care about the environment surrounding the office, which may explain why some companies, like IBM and Marriott, have opened urban, public transport-accessible offices in vibrant neighborhoods, after spending decades in sprawling suburban campuses. The value that employees place on the office is around identity, inspiration and talent retention. The value that employees place on the office is around identity, inspiration and talent retention. Gensler "When we're working with clients, we hear two things," McLaurin said. "One is, Where is that talent and where does that talent want to be located? The other is, Where's our client and customer, and how do we stay close to that client and customer?" Those companies mentioned a desire to attract employees to that shiny new office with the help of the neighborhood—replete with walkable options for lunch, a coffee or maybe getting an errand done—as part of the attraction. "All those spaces play an important role," McLaurin said. "We have seen outside of coffee shops and restaurants, outdoor spaces is number three [among employee interests]. Right after it is medical help, then grocery store, shopping, retail and pharmacy. ... So location matters as well as the type of building that you're located in."
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Resources Connection to Participate in Noble Capital Markets Emerging Growth Conference
DALLAS, May 29, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Resources Connection, Inc. (Nasdaq: RGP) (the "Company"), a global consulting firm, today announced that Kate Duchene, Chief Executive Officer, and Jennifer Ryu, Chief Financial Officer, will participate in a fireside chat at Noble Capital Markets 2025 Emerging Growth Virtual Equity Conference on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. Attendees interested in viewing the live presentation can register for this event, at no cost, here. Following the event, a replay of the presentation will be available through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at Management will also host virtual investor meetings throughout the day. About RGP RGP is a global professional services leader that helps businesses navigate complex challenges with flexible, high-impact solutions across Finance, HR, Operations, and Technology. With 2,600+ experts worldwide and decades of experience, we're a trusted partner to the C-Suite—optimizing performance, accelerating transformation, and executing critical initiatives from strategy to automation and AI. Whether enterprises need embedded expertise, strategic consulting, or fully outsourced solutions, RGP is built to meet organizations where they are. Based in Dallas, Texas, with offices worldwide, we annually engage with approximately 1,700 clients around the world from 42 physical practice offices and multiple virtual offices. RGP is proud to have served 88% of the Fortune 100 as of February 2025 and has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report (2024-2025 Best Companies to Work for) and Forbes (America's Best Management Consulting Firms 2025, America's Best Midsize Employers 2025, World's Best Management Consulting Firms 2024). The Company is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the exchange's highest tier by listing standards. To learn more about RGP, visit: (RGP-F) View source version on Contacts Investor Contact:Jennifer Ryu, Chief Financial Officer(US+) Media Contact:Pat BurekFinancial Profiles(US+) 1-310-622-8244pburek@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Resources Connection to Participate in Noble Capital Markets Emerging Growth Conference
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Resources Connection, Inc. (Nasdaq: RGP) (the 'Company'), a global consulting firm, today announced that Kate Duchene, Chief Executive Officer, and Jennifer Ryu, Chief Financial Officer, will participate in a fireside chat at Noble Capital Markets 2025 Emerging Growth Virtual Equity Conference on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. Attendees interested in viewing the live presentation can register for this event, at no cost, here. Following the event, a replay of the presentation will be available through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at Management will also host virtual investor meetings throughout the day. About RGP RGP is a global professional services leader that helps businesses navigate complex challenges with flexible, high-impact solutions across Finance, HR, Operations, and Technology. With 2,600+ experts worldwide and decades of experience, we're a trusted partner to the C-Suite—optimizing performance, accelerating transformation, and executing critical initiatives from strategy to automation and AI. Whether enterprises need embedded expertise, strategic consulting, or fully outsourced solutions, RGP is built to meet organizations where they are. Based in Dallas, Texas, with offices worldwide, we annually engage with approximately 1,700 clients around the world from 42 physical practice offices and multiple virtual offices. RGP is proud to have served 88% of the Fortune 100 as of February 2025 and has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report (2024-2025 Best Companies to Work for) and Forbes (America's Best Management Consulting Firms 2025, America's Best Midsize Employers 2025, World's Best Management Consulting Firms 2024). The Company is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the exchange's highest tier by listing standards. To learn more about RGP, visit: (RGP-F)
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RGP Transformation Barometer Illustrates the Top Impacts on Workforce Investment
Poll shows where U.S. financial decision-makers expect to prioritize new and existing capital amid shifting workforce landscape DALLAS, February 13, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--RGP® (Nasdaq: RGP), a global professional services firm, today released new research around the top factors shaping workforce strategy decisions for U.S. companies, including interest rate cuts, widening skills gaps, and AI investments. Business leaders remain committed to increasing workforce investment in 2025, according to the poll of 201 U.S. full-time professionals who influence finance decision-making within their companies. The RGP Transformation Barometer shows that 91% of respondents reported that their organization is planning to increase its overall investment in workforce strategy development in 2025. Nearly half of financial decision makers (46%) said their organization remains focused on increasing resources to reskill and upskill existing employees, while 22% plan to increase investment in outside talent, and 18% expect to increase investment in internal headcount. "We're seeing constant shifts in how companies are aligning their workforce priorities as they navigate a lower interest rate environment, widening skills gaps, and constant change spurred by AI," said Kate Duchene, Chief Executive Officer of RGP. "More than one-third of financial decision makers believe that policy changes under the new administration will have the biggest impact on their investment in workforce development, yet leaders we surveyed were more concerned by employee retention and engagement, growing urgency to better leverage AI, and hiring challenges. These factors will continue to shape the way businesses are prioritizing their workforce investments in the year ahead." Recent Interest Rate Cuts More than half of financial decision-makers surveyed (58%) expect increased investment following last year's three interest rate cuts to begin flowing within the first six months of 2025. Four out of five respondents (79%) said they expect to see increased investment flowing this year. Nearly 70% of respondents expect their organization to unlock new capital in digital transformation and AI in 2025. Respondents also cited workforce development (48%), enterprise resource planning (47%) and business process optimization/automation (46%) as top areas of increased investment in a lower interest rate environment. Widening Skills Gaps One in four respondents (26%) said they are currently experiencing widening skills gaps within their organization – an increase from 17% in October's survey. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (63%) said they expect their organization's skills gaps to increase in 2025. Meanwhile, 27% reported that their organization has narrowed its skills gaps with AI and other digital tools. Businesses continue to be impacted by the shortage of accountants, with 40% of respondents reporting that their organization is currently facing a skills gap in accounting. More than one in four financial decision-makers (27%) expect this gap to widen this year. AI Investments Two-thirds of financial decision-makers expect customer service to be the function impacted most by their organization's AI investments over the next 12 months. Respondents also cited operations (64%) and marketing (60%) as areas where they expect to see the biggest impacts. The RGP Transformation Barometer is a quarterly survey that explores the shifting workforce dynamics and investment priorities that organizations face. The findings are based on a poll of 201 U.S. full-time professionals conducted January 2 - 9, 2025. The poll consisted of respondents at the director level or above who influence finance decision-making at organizations with $500 million or more in annual revenue. Read more about the findings here: ABOUT RGP RGP is a professional services firm that powers the operational needs and change initiatives of its client base utilizing a combination of three distinct brands: On-Demand by RGP™: Our on-demand talent solutions, providing businesses with a go-to source for bringing in experts when they need them; Veracity by RGP™: Our consulting arm, driving transformation across people, processes & technology; and Countsy by RGP™: Our outsourced services for accounting, human resources and equity, helping startups, scaleups and spinouts focus on their growth. Regardless of engagement model, we Dare to Work Differently® by leveraging human connection and collaboration to deliver practical solutions and impactful results. We offer a more effective way to work that favors flexibility and agility as businesses confront change and transformation pressures amid skilled labor shortages. Based in Dallas, TX with offices worldwide, we annually engage with over 1,700 clients around the world from 43 physical practice offices, multiple virtual offices and approximately 3,400 professionals. RGP is proud to have served 88% of the Fortune 100 as of August 2024 and has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report (2024-2025 Best Companies to Work for) and Forbes (America's Best Management Consulting Firms 2024, America's Best Midsize Employers 2024, World's Best Management Consulting Firms 2024). The Company is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the exchange's highest tier by listing standards. To learn more about RGP, visit: (RGP-F) View source version on Contacts Investor Contact:Jennifer Ryu, Chief Financial Officer(US+) Media Contact: Pat BurekFinancial Profiles(US+) 1-310-622-8244pburek@
