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The right specialty services can help attract talent & optimize occupancy—ensuring the workplace is a destination, not an obligation

As corporate real estate (CRE) leaders and facility managers grapple with reopening offices under hybrid mandates, the physical environment plays a critical role in boosting employee engagement. Specialty facility services—from floor and restoration to parking lot striping and sweeping—are both operational essentials and strategic tools shaping workplace experience, CRE value, and a smooth transition back to in-person work.

When a workplace is clean, comfortable, modern, and easy to navigate, it sends a message that the company values its people—making employees more likely to show up, stay longer, and be productive.

RTO is driving a CRE renaissance

With hybrid work becoming more common, CRE and facilities leaders face new expectations. The physical environment must not only support daily operations but also entice employees back and foster engagement.

• Hybrid is here, but enforcement varies: Nearly 80% of firms have RTO policies, but only 17% strictly enforce them. Most expect in-office attendance at least three days per week, yet actual presence averages just 51%.¹
• Employers believe in-person work boosts engagement: Despite mixed attendance, 61% of U.S. companies now mandate in-office days, and 84% of leaders say in-person collaboration improves employee engagement.²
• CRE and facilities are central to making RTO work: To support this shift, organizations are investing in occupancy sensors, desk reservation systems, and employee experience apps—not just to monitor usage, but to create environments employees want to return to.

As hybrid work becomes more structured, facilities leaders have a critical role to play. The condition, functionality, and flexibility of your workplace directly impact whether employees choose to come in—and stay engaged when they do.

Leading providers like ABM are already helping organizations transition with advanced cleaning, smart tech integration, and sustainability solutions—ensuring the workplace is a destination, not an obligation.

The impact of specialty services on office environments

Research confirms that even the best engagement programs can be undermined by a poor physical environment. Specialty facility services now directly support engagement, compliance, and CRE ROI.

Quantifying the benefits

• Firms that tie physical environment enhancements to employee sentiment see ~70% improvement in utilization and a surge in satisfaction scores.³
• CRE owners report renovated, well-equipped offices drive higher renewal rates, premium rents, and stronger asset appeal.⁴
• With hybrid models here to stay—44% of firms support full-time office usage, but most align around 3+ days—facility flexibility has become a core valuation metric.⁵

Action plan for facility leaders

Prioritize IAQ & safety: Boost comfort and return-to-office confidence through air-quality monitoring and enhanced cleaning.

Invest in : Sensors and reservation platforms optimize utilization and tie directly to engagement analytics.

Enhance commuters’ experience: From efficient parking to EV charging, elevate the daily experience to drive office attendance.

Rebrand spaces with specialty services: Clean, aesthetically maintained spaces signal professionalism, priorities, and employee value.

Achieve facility excellence with ABM

In an era where office = engagement, RTO success hinges on strategic CRE management and facility services. ABM’s specialty offerings should be repositioned not just as service-provider functions, but as key investment tools that:

1. Drive employee engagement and pride for office use,
2. Unlock data-driven utilization for space optimization,
3. Elevate CRE attractiveness and ROI via tenant experience and asset quality.

Ready to transform your workplace for the RTO era? to learn how our specialty services can drive engagement, optimize your CRE, and future-proof your facilities strategy.

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Sources

1 https://www.cbre.com/insights/reports/2024-americas-office-occupier-sentiment-survey

2 https://www.cleanlink.com/cleanlinkminute/details/Leveraging-Sensor-Data-for-an-Efficient-Return-to-Office-Plan--65599

3 https://facilitiesmanagementadvisor.com/design-and-construction/a-cre-readiness-plan-as-companies-enforce-return-to-office-policies/

4 https://facilitiesmanagementadvisor.com/design-and-construction/a-cre-readiness-plan-as-companies-enforce-return-to-office-policies/

5 https://www.jll.com/en-us/insights/future-of-work-survey

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