How to Combat Empty Office Syndrome

Date: February 27, 2025
by Maria Vasilyeva

The Future of Midweek Office Peaks

In the evolving workplace landscape, a new trend has become increasingly evident: the dominance of midweek peaks in office occupancy. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are bustling with activity, while Mondays and Fridays often feel deserted. This phenomenon, often referred to as “Empty Office Syndrome,” presents both challenges and opportunities for corporate real estate (CRE) managers and facilities teams.

Understanding the Midweek Peak Phenomenon

Recent data from Basking’s Global Occupancy Benchmarks Report highlights that midweek days consistently see the highest occupancy rates across regions, while Mondays and Fridays remain underutilized. This trend is especially pronounced in Europe and North America, where hybrid work policies and longer commutes contribute to employees clustering their office visits midweek.

Why Empty Office Syndrome Matters

Underused office spaces on certain days can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities, including:

Increased Costs: Running facilities at full capacity for minimal use on Mondays and Fridays is a drain on resources.
Employee Experience: Sparse attendance can make offices feel unwelcoming, impacting employee perception and satisfaction.
Missed Collaboration Opportunities: Collaboration thrives on shared presence, which is harder to achieve with uneven attendance patterns.

Strategies to Balance Office Utilization

Leverage Predictive Analytics to Optimize Scheduling
Use tools like Basking’s real-time occupancy insights to anticipate patterns and create smarter schedules. For instance, identify teams likely to benefit from Monday collaboration sessions and align their schedules accordingly.

Enhance Underused Days with Targeted Incentives
Boost attendance on Mondays and Fridays with initiatives that matter to employees. Examples include offering exclusive learning workshops, team-building events, or subsidized meals tailored to their preferences.

Ensure Flexibility for Generational and Regional Adaptations
Understand your employees’ office visit duration, frequency, and usage personas to create experiences reflective of regional, cultural, or generational variations. This might include days for high visibility with executives or dedicated quiet times in areas where home offices are less prevalent.

Transform Spaces with Modular Solutions
Implement flexible layouts that adjust dynamically based on attendance trends. Use occupancy forecasts to configure spaces for collaborative midweek peaks or individual-focused work on quieter days.

Embrace Data-Driven Resource Optimization
Reduce operational costs on low-occupancy days with adaptive resource management. Basking’s AI-powered platform can help you adjust energy usage and service schedules in real-time to reflect actual demand.

Foster Collaboration Through Purposeful Design
Schedule high-impact meetings and cross-functional brainstorming sessions on underutilized days. This approach leans in to reduced distractions in the office while spreading occupancy more evenly.

Learning from Regional Differences

In regions like APAC and Latin America, where return-to-office (RTO) mandates are more commonly accepted and in-office visibility is a priority, attendance is more evenly distributed throughout the week. While generational variances cut across regions, they are heavily shaped by the cultural attitudes toward trust and access as well as geosocial infrastructure like transportation and housing.

These regions provide a potential blueprint for managing occupancy:

Cultural Alignment: Foster a workplace culture that values consistent office presence.
Convenient Amenities: Offer on-site perks that make the office a preferred destination, regardless of the day.

The Road Ahead

The midweek peak trend is unlikely to disappear as hybrid work models remain dominant. However, by leveraging data and employing creative strategies, CRE managers can transform “Empty Office Syndrome” into an opportunity to improve efficiency, enhance employee experience, and drive collaboration.

As workplaces evolve, the key to success lies in adaptability. Managing midweek peaks and optimizing underused days requires a proactive, data-informed approach. The future of office spaces is not just about occupancy but about creating dynamic environments that foster productivity and connection every day of the week.

For more actionable insights and strategies, check out our latest Global Occupancy Benchmarks Webinar webinar with Tiffany English, Senior Director of Architecture at Qualcomm and discover how data-driven decisions can redefine your workplace management strategy.