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The five-day-a-week face-to-face work schedule is gaining ground in Latin America, transforming the way companies operate. In the aftermath of the pandemic, many companies opted for a more flexible work arrangement, but by 2025 the trend is reversing in the region.
In this regard, countries such as Mexico, Brazil and Argentina have adopted back-to-office policies to strengthen team cohesion and organizational culture.
Currently, 58% of companies in the region have a scheme of five face-to-face days a week, 18% four, 14% three and only 7% two, according to the report "The Future of Work in Latin America", by the firm JLL.
The document adds that in Latin America, employees in six out of every 10 companies attend the office every day, with Peru leading the way in the face-to-face work model (80%). This market is followed by Colombia (72%), Brazil (60%), Chile (56%), Mexico (54%) and Argentina (24%).
In the United States and Canada, meanwhile, 43% of organizations report having a minimum five-day-a-week schedule; in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), 35%; and in Asia-Pacific, 48%.
What about Chile?
In the country, the return to the office is also underway, albeit with a more balanced approach. Many companies are opting for hybrid models that combine remote work days with face-to-face days, seeking to maintain flexibility and productivity.
According to a survey by the consulting firm WTW of 1,000 people working for medium and large private sector companies in the country, an increasing number of people are working in a hybrid format. If in 2022 the figure was 14%, in 2024 the figure reached 22%.
Labor transformation
Regionally, the trend seems clear: by 2030, a four-day work model is expected to consolidate, supported by a decentralization of offices and a focus on community integration. According to the JLL report, companies will focus on sustainability, employee health and wellness, and the incorporation of flexible spaces powered by artificial intelligence.
This approach could reduce demand for traditional office space and change real estate investment strategies, as well as influence city planning and development. In Latin America, 47% of companies are expected to offer additional salaries and benefits to employees who attend the office, thus incentivizing physical presence in the workplace.
The labor horizon in the short and medium term presents challenges and opportunities. With the consolidation of more flexible work schemes and the integration of artificial intelligence, companies will have to reevaluate their strategies to promote the sustainability and well-being of their employees.
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