"Transportation and Lunch Costs Have Risen Too Much" - US Inflation Blocking Office Return

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] American companies that have been pushing for employees who worked remotely after the pandemic (global pandemic) to return to the office have been blocked by an unexpected obstacle: inflation. This is because the number of employees reluctant to commute to the office has surged due to sharply increased transportation costs, coffee prices, and dining expenses compared to two years ago.

According to a survey conducted by Owl Labs, a video conferencing equipment company, on the 27th (local time), full-time employees in the United States spend an average of $863 (about 1,227,000 KRW) per month when commuting to the office.

This amount is double the average expenditure of $432 (about 616,500 KRW) during remote work. Employees responded that they spend an average of $15.11 on commuting costs, $14.25 on lunch, and $8.46 on simple breakfast and coffee.

This year, inflation in the United States has reached its highest level in 40 years. The consumer price index (CPI) increase rate in August recorded 8.3% compared to the previous year. Specifically, the dining out sector rose by 8%. Gasoline prices are also 17% higher than a year ago. This is why most employees think remote work is much more economical.

High real estate prices are also inevitably a burden for employees. Megan Zuckerman, who moved from Manhattan, New York to New Jersey during the pandemic, judged that it was impossible to find a home near the company due to soaring rent, and eventually found another job that allows remote work. The Financial Times (FT) reported Zuckerman's case, stating, "Transportation costs, dining expenses, and childcare costs have risen more than salary increases. Inflation is blocking the return to the office."

American automaker General Motors (GM) also announced on the same day that it would postpone its office return plan. GM announced on the 23rd that it would mandate office attendance at least three times a week within the year, but had to back down due to employee backlash. The management stated that they will not mandate office attendance until the first quarter of next year and will not enforce specific commuting days.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.