Workplace Utilization Data Compared to Google Mobility Report

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations have been looking for reliable data to understand changing mobility patterns and workplace utilization. Google’s Mobility Reports have emerged as a valuable public resource, but how do they compare with the granular workplace utilization data collected by MySeat’s sensors? This blog post explores the relationship between these two data sources and how they can complement each other for comprehensive workplace analytics.

Understanding Google Mobility Reports

Google’s COVID-19 Community Mobility Reports use anonymized location data from users who have enabled Location History to track movement trends over time across different categories of places:

Retail & recreation
Grocery & pharmacy
Parks
Transit stations
Workplaces
Residential

These reports show how visits and length of stay change compared to a baseline period before the pandemic. While valuable for broad trends, they have limitations when it comes to specific workplace insights.

MySeat’s Detailed Workplace Utilization Data

MySeat’s occupancy sensors provide much more granular and accurate data about specific workplaces:

Real-time occupancy status of individual spaces
Utilization patterns by space type (desks, meeting rooms, collaborative areas)
Peak usage times throughout the day
Duration of space usage
Comparison between different departments or floor sections

This data is specific to your organization and provides actionable insights not available from broader mobility trends.

Comparing the Data Sources

When we compare Google Mobility Reports with MySeat’s utilization data across several client sites, we find some interesting correlations and differences:

Similarities

Both data sources show similar weekly patterns with peaks midweek
Both reflect major events like holidays or weather disruptions
Both indicate the gradual return to workplace trends in 2021

Key Differences

MySeat data shows significantly more variance between different types of workspaces than Google’s aggregate workplace category
Google data may not account for hybrid work patterns where employees split time between office and home
MySeat sensors can distinguish between spaces that are booked versus actually occupied – a critical difference not captured in mobility data
Organization-specific policies and culture create utilization patterns that deviate from regional trends

Case Study: Financial Services Firm

A multinational financial services client used both Google Mobility Reports and MySeat utilization data to plan their return-to-office strategy. Google data showed their city was at approximately 60% of pre-pandemic workplace visits, but MySeat sensors revealed:

Their specific offices were only at 42% occupancy
Meeting room utilization was disproportionately higher (68% of pre-pandemic levels)
Desk usage was significantly lower than regional averages (38% vs. 60%)
Different departments showed dramatic variations in return patterns

This granular insight allowed them to redesign their office space to better accommodate the actual usage patterns, converting underutilized individual workspaces to more collaborative areas.

Combining Data Sources for Better Insights

The most comprehensive approach is to use both data sources together:

Use Google Mobility Reports for:
- Regional benchmarking
- Understanding broader return-to-work trends
- Correlating workplace utilization with other sectors (retail, transit)
- Planning for regional differences across multiple office locations
Use MySeat utilization data for:
- Specific space planning decisions
- Understanding actual versus perceived space needs
- Optimizing different types of workspaces
- Making data-driven real estate decisions

Future Integration Possibilities

Looking ahead, MySeat is exploring ways to further integrate broader mobility data with our specific utilization analytics:

Predictive models that incorporate regional mobility trends to forecast workplace needs
Benchmarking tools that compare your organization’s utilization to industry and regional averages
Correlation analysis between community mobility factors and specific workplace usage

Conclusion

While Google’s Mobility Reports provide valuable macro-level insights into how communities are moving and returning to workplaces, MySeat’s utilization data delivers the specific, actionable information needed for effective workplace strategy. The combination of these data sources creates a powerful toolkit for organizations navigating the evolving workplace landscape.

As we move forward in a world of hybrid work, having both perspectives – the broad regional view and the detailed organizational view – will be essential for making informed decisions about workplace design, real estate investments, and employee experience strategies.

For more information on how MySeat can help you understand your specific workplace utilization patterns, contact our team today.