--- title: "The Post-Pandemic Office Lease" id: "61415" type: "post" slug: "the-post-pandemic-office-lease" published_at: "2022-07-18T17:00:57+00:00" modified_at: "2026-07-11T18:08:23+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2022/07/18/the-post-pandemic-office-lease/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2022/07/18/the-post-pandemic-office-lease.md" excerpt: "COVID-19 shuttered association offices for extended periods, and with many organizations continuing remote work at least part time, leaders are reconsidering their office space. Many want less square footage and more flexible lease terms—and they have more leverage to get..." taxonomy_category: - "Operations" taxonomy_post_tag: - "Associations Now" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "Executive Team" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » The Post-Pandemic Office Lease Part of the Deep Dive[No Going Back](https://associationsnow.com/deep-dives/no-going-back-remaking-the-association-workplace/) The pandemic has literally reshaped the office. As organizations embrace work-from-home or hybrid arrangements, it’s been harder for many to determine what kind of physical space they need, and how much of it. An October 2021 survey by Achurch Consulting and *Association Trends* found that [79 percent of associations planned to go hybrid or fully remote (opens in a new tab)](https://www.achurchconsulting.com/advice-and-insights-2/thought-leadership/state-of-association-workplaces-post-pandemic-survey/?utm_source=Website&utm_medium=form&utm_campaign=remote+work) . And while more associations have returned to the office since then, Mindy Saffer, managing principal at the commercial real estate firm Cresa, says she still sees nonprofits looking to reduce their office footprint substantially from pre-pandemic levels. “The average trade association, pre-COVID, was occupying about 250 to 350 square feet per employee,” she said. “Now, with hybrid workplaces, it’s closer to 150. They still need the public spaces for meetings and collaboration, but if employees are coming in once or twice a week, they don’t need to provide a dedicated seat for every employee. They can share spaces and people will come when needed.” [Mark Athitakis](https://associationsnow.com/author/mark-athitakis/) Mark Athitakis, a contributing editor for Associations Now, has written on nonprofits, the arts, and leadership for a variety of publications. He is a coauthor of The Dumbest Moments in Business History and hopes you never qualify for the sequel. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/mark-athitakis/) Tags: [#Associations Now](https://associationsnow.com/tag/associations-now/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## More in this Deep Dive - [A Workplace Focused on Results](https://associationsnow.com/2022/07/18/a-workplace-focused-on-results/) - [Building the Future With Maximum Flexibility](https://associationsnow.com/2022/07/18/building-the-future-with-maximum-flexibility/) - [New Rules to Support New Work Options](https://associationsnow.com/2022/07/18/new-rules-to-support-new-work-options/) - [A Skill-Set Revamp for Leaders](https://associationsnow.com/2022/07/18/a-skill-set-revamp-for-leaders/) - [How to Future-Proof Your Association](https://associationsnow.com/2022/07/18/how-to-future-proof-your-association-2/) - [Finding Remedies for Employee Burnout](https://associationsnow.com/2022/07/18/finding-remedies-for-employee-burnout/) [View the full Deep Dive →](https://associationsnow.com/deep-dives/no-going-back-remaking-the-association-workplace/) ## You Might Like - [VideoRisky Business: What Types of Insurance Do Associations Really Need?June 17, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/06/17/risky-business-what-types-of-insurance-do-associations-really-need/) - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Tech Stack: How AI Is Changing the Association PlaybookOctober 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/29/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-tech-stack-how-ai-is-changing-the-association-playbook/) - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: Industry Partner Edition-Helping Associations Thrive in the Age of AIJuly 16, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/07/16/associations-now-presents-industry-partner-edition-helping-associations-thrive-in-the-age-of-ai/) - [VideoSkip the Search. 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