Hybrid workers spend an average of $51 a day when they go into the office

Hybrid workers are spending an extra $36 a day when they work from the office, a new survey found.

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• Hybrid workers say they spend an average of $51 a day when they go into the office, an Owl Labs survey found.
• That's $36 more than they reported spending on the typical day working from home.
• Extra daily expenses include commuting, parking, and pet care, respondents said.

Workers who are resisting return-to-office mandates may have at least one valid excuse: it's expensive.

Hybrid workers said they spend an average of $51 each day that they go into the office, according to a recent survey conducted by video conferencing firm Owl Labs. That's $36 more than they reported spending per day when they work from home.

In June, Owl Labs surveyed over 2,000 full-time workers to understand the changing workplace. 27% of the respondents were hybrid workers, going to the office sometimes either by choice or due to a company mandate.

The daily expenses for hybrid workers at the office include an average of $8 on parking, $13 on breakfast and coffee, $16 on lunch, and $14 on commuting, the survey found. Those who need pet care spend an extra $20 a day.

That cost likely contributed to the fact that 29% of hybrid and remote workers said they would expect a pay bump if they have to return to the office full time.

"The financial cost of going into the office can be a burden for many workers," Kayt Racz, senior manager of global content at Owl Labs, told Insider over email.

And Racz doesn't expect that to change.

"Due to things like inflation and an ever-increasing cost of living, many employees expect the cost of working in person to rise over time," she said.

Owl Labs' findings on the costs of in-person work come as companies like Amazon, Google, and Meta are requiring employees to return to the office.

Some executives and leaders believe that the return to in-person work will lead to boosts in productivity, collaboration, and employee morale.

But not all workers want to give up remote work privileges.

Studies suggest that not having to commute is one of the main reasons why employees prefer working from home, as daily trips to the office can be costly, time-consuming, and mentally draining.

Some workers would even rather quit their six-figure jobs or take pay cuts of up to $35,000 a year to avoid going back to the office.

It's not just commuting and food costs. After years of working from home, some say that the costs of work clothes and new makeup are adding up.

So what can get workers to actually come in? Free lunch, of course.

Hybrid workers surveyed by Owl Labs said company reimbursements for commuting costs, free or subsidized food and beverages, and on-site daycare services are all good incentives.

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