The troubled office space market is showing signs of life as firms seek flexible short-term spaces for their employees’ return to work.

New research out from Stanford finds the number of 40-plus-mile commutes are increasing as many workers only need to travel to work a few days a week. And the share of workers traveling 75 miles or more is up a third since the start of the pandemic.

A consulting firm’s report says more than 70% of workers haven’t had training on managing remote workers or the best way to do so.

For years, there have been more federal workers based outside the nation’s capital than in it. That trend picked up during the pandemic.

But suburban owners still want to be close to downtown amenities.

Jobs in this kind of work — the work that makes offices and buildings run, makes them nice — grew about 2.6% last year. It’s growth but it’s not huge growth.

Many companies have decided they want employees in the office only part of the time, but they don’t want to pay rent on empty space.

Even if we’re back to statistical “norms,” remote employment, widespread freelancing and worker activism have changed the landscape.

It’s a cost-saving measure that’s more common now than it was pre-pandemic, but not all workers like it.

Digital platforms have become especially difficult to manage with the rise of remote work.