[SURVEY] American Office Employees Spend Over $50 Per Day Compared to WFH Staff—Here's the Breakdown

Here's what this expense includes.

[SURVEY] American Office Employees Spend Over $50 Per Day Compared to WFH Staff—Here's the Breakdown
Tech startup company Fast Chief Communications Officer Jason Alderman (R) talks with an employee on the first day working in the office on March 24, 2021 in San Francisco, California. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

A new survey revealed that American office employees spend more than $50 daily on average compared to WFH (work-from-home) staff.

Owl Labs conducted the survey; a 360-degree video conferencing device manufacturer. Now, here's what the company's "State of Work" report revealed.

American Office Employees Spend Over $50 Per Day on Average

Owl Labs's 2023 State of Work report revealed that more than 60% (66% to be exact) of office employees in the United States spend an average of $51 every workday compared to those who are only working at home.

Via its official website, the American company provided the breakdown of the $51 expense that office employees have to deal with five times a week:

  • Lunch: $16
  • Commute: $14
  • Breakfast/Coffee: $13
  • Parking: $8

Aside from these expenses, some office-based workers even spend more than $51 because of their pets. Specifically, they need to pay an additional $20 for pet care.

Meanwhile, Owl Labs also revealed that hybrid employees spend an average of $36 per day compared to WFH staff.

Owl Labs CEO Frank Weishaupt said their findings are not about whether office-based workers are more expensive today than during the pandemic's peak.

Other Things Owl Labs Discovered in Office Employees

[SURVEY] American Office Employees Spend Over $50 Per Day Compared to WFH Staff—Here's the Breakdown
Employees at tech startup company Fast work at their desks in the office on March 24, 2021 in San Francisco, California. A limited number of employees at a tech company in San Francisco returned to work in the office as San Francisco and 5 other California counties moved into the orange tier of reopening. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Owl Labs' State of Work report also revealed what kind of working setup managers are asking for and what scenarios their employees prefer.

Based on the videoconferencing firm's findings, 67% of managers will likely change their current hybrid or remote policy. This means that more than half of them could require employees to return to offices completely.

Meanwhile, 19% said they would retain their hybrid and remote policies. The remaining 13% are still unsure as of writing.

When it comes to employees, 55% of them said they want to retain their remote or hybrid work setup. Around 23% want to change their existing hybrid/remote working scenarios, and another 23% are unsure about their decisions.

Another thing that Owl Labs discovered is that around 79% of managers feel that their subordinates are more productive and efficient when they have remote or hybrid work setups. On the other hand, 11% see no difference in the productivity of their employees.

One of the main reasons companies want their staff to return to being office-based is to build relationships with colleagues. However, Yahoo Finance reported that around 46% of employees find it easier to establish good connections with their colleagues remotely.

As of writing, numerous American workers can still enjoy working within the vicinities of their beloved home. But, as the business sector tries to return to the office, employees must adjust or persuade their companies to retain their WFH policies.

Real Time Analytics