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Workers are returning to the workplace in large numbers following three years of working from home, but enjoying more flexibility than before the Covid-19 outbreak.
Research by media company JCDecaux New Zealand said workers were returning to business as usual as in the post-lockdown era, with about nine out of 10 (89 percent) back in the workplace at least three days a week.
About three-quarters (76 percent) were back to their regular schedule and more than half (58 percent) were spending 100 percent of the workng day in the office.
JCDecaux New Zealand country head Mike Watkins said commuter traffic levels were exceeding pre-pandemic levels while central business district foot traffic had returned to normal.
JCDecaux insights specialist Victoria Parsons said peak road traffic had shifted to earlier in the afternoon, as workers took advantage of increased flexibiltiy.
"The mobility data indicates that the most impressions for city outbound sites can be experienced during 4pm and 5pm versus the traditional 5.30pm end of day race to the motorway," she said.
"In the morning, busy commute periods continue later, some days until close to 10am. People are coming in later, leaving earlier, or doing part days vs the standard eight-hour workday."
JCDecaux New Zealand had been tracking population mobility since 2021, and work from home habits since mid-2022.