Are SMBs Returning to the Office?

TSL Tech Research has been tracking changes in the workplace environments of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) through our online surveys. In our 2024 and 2025 surveys, we asked IT professionals at SMBs where their employees work on average. 

Now, we can compare the findings from both surveys to uncover trends that help IT service firms understand what type of workplace environment support SMBs need. Between 2024 and 2025, SMBs have increased their use of an entirely in-office workforce slightly, taking the top spot in the survey away from hybrid workplaces. 

Trend in Returning to the Office for SMBs 

In 2024, TSL Tech Research surveyed 760 IT professionals at SMBs to find out what type of workplace models they were using. Hybrid workplaces that include both remote and in-office employees came out as the top choice. After hybrid working environments, in-office workplaces came in a close second with mostly remote workplaces coming in last. In comparison, our 2025 research shows a trend toward returning to the office for SMBs with in-office work coming in first. 

In 2024, when asked where their companies work on average, the SMBs responded as follows: 

• 35% of SMBs have a hybrid setup (some in-office, some remote) 

• 32% have most employees in-office 

• 22% have less than half in-office 

• 11% are mostly remote 

Of the more than 450 IT professionals at SMBs surveyed in 2025: 

• 37% Chose mostly all in office 

• 33% Chose more than 50% in office, some remote 

• 20% Chose less than 50% in office, the rest remote 

• 10% Chose mostly all remote 

McKinsey & Company reported that, in 2024, many Fortune 500 companies, including Amazon and Nike, were returning to the office, establishing in-office mandates for employees. According to our research at that time, SMBs were behind large companies in returning to the office. Our more recent findings indicate that SMBs are picking up the pace when it comes to in-office work. 

Key Takeaways: 

The rate of companies with mostly all employees working in-office increased by 5% year-over-year. Of the SMBs surveyed in 2025, 53% are using some type of hybrid workplace setup, slightly down from 2024. Mostly all remote workplace models are also slightly down. 

What the In-Office Work Trend Means for IT Service Firms 

While our sample sizes are relatively small for scientific certainty, these findings are meaningful for IT service firms that want to partner with SMBs. A trend toward in-office work may correspond with an increased interest in services that support on-premises infrastructure, cybersecurity, and collaboration tools. 

Managed service providers (MSPs) and managed security service providers (MSSPs) should promote services that support the move back to an in-office working model. Services may include those for enhancing on-premises security, Unified Communications (UC), and Identity Access Management (IAM). Other services that may appeal to SMBs that are returning to the office are network and infrastructure management, help desk support, and managed hardware. 

As employees return to the office, SMBs may be less reliant on services for remote working environments, such as Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and email threat defense.

Keeping up with Working Model Trends for SMBs 

At TSL Tech Research, we conduct online surveys to track technology trends that affect today’s companies and the IT service firms they partner with. As the premier technology advisory and consulting arm of TSL Marketing, we can help you develop and run your own research survey or match your company with the ideal MSP to meet your workplace technology needs. 

Does your SMB need help finding the right IT service provider to support your workplace technology? Reach out to TSL Tech Research today.