THE TRANSATLANTIC DIVIDE
The American RTO Mandate is Failing in Europe
Quarterly physical occupancy · European firms in city centre vs US firm offices in the periphery · Q1–Q4 2025
EU Firms · City Centre
US Firms · Periphery
34%
Inner City · European Firms
Q4 2025 Physical Occupancy
20%
Periphery · US Firm Offices
Q4 2025 Physical Occupancy
THE EXECUTIVE DISCONNECT
While global CEO surveys show over 80% of US executives are demanding a strict return to the office by 2026, forcing a cultural clash with European flexible working norms.
THE DOUBLE PENALTY
US firms in the periphery face a compounding crisis: a cultural rejection of imported mandates combined with a refusal of the suburban commute. The compliance gap more than doubled from 6 to 14 points in just 12 months.