Employees returning to downtown offices
The number of downtown Milwaukee office employees who are returning to their workplaces is rising, according to a new survey.
The survey conducted by the Milwaukee Downtown Business Improvement District reported that, as of May 1, 26.9% of downtown Milwaukee’s employee base had returned to the office.
Previous estimates, conducted before the COVID-19 vaccine was widely available, had that share at around 20%.
The survey questioned downtown office building managers and employers representing approximately 17,000 employees, or nearly 19% of downtown Milwaukee’s workforce.
“We found that Milwaukee is slightly ahead of many cities in reopening,” said Matt Dorner, the business improvement district’s economic development director. Survey respondents, on average, estimated a nearly 55% return by September and an over 70% return by the end of 2021.
The return of downtown employees will provide badly needed revenue for restaurants and other businesses.
The district will relaunch its “MKE It Back” marketing campaign in June to highlight safe downtown activities and experiences.
The organization will also collaborate with major employers in the fall on a welcome back initiative tied to Downtown Employee Appreciation Week.
Meanwhile, nearly 70% of employers surveyed expect some remote work to continue by year’s end, Dorner said at Thursday’s business improvement district board meeting.
Most believe their employees will be in the office two to four days a week, he said.
Employers will likely provide flexibility for some remote work to compete for talent, said Beth Weirick, district president and chief executive officer.
Employees want the convenience of sometimes working at home even as they also want to be around their colleagues, Weirick said.
Also, downtown businesses continue to benefit from the increasing number of downtown residents. About one-third of those work downtown, she said.
More underused downtown offices are being converted to apartments. And employers are adding downtown jobs — with Milwaukee Tool bringing up to 2,000 jobs to its future office at 501 W. Michigan St.
Milwaukee is ‘slightly ahead’ in reopening.