Employers push for office returns as job competition rises, Avison Young CEO says

Employers are increasingly pushing for workers to return to the office as the economy weakens and job competition rises. Mark Rose, CEO of Avison Young, noted that major companies like Amazon and the federal government are enforcing stricter in-person attendance policies. Office occupancy in downtown Toronto has improved, reaching 72% of pre-pandemic levels in early November. However, the office vacancy rate remains high at 15.7%, with new office buildings contributing to the surplus of available space. Despite the push for in-person work, many senior employees are reluctant to return. Rose emphasized that visibility in the office is important for career advancement, as more employers seek to increase attendance requirements.