Productivity has declined globally as a result of remote working and the failure so far of technology to make employees as effective collaborating online as in person shows workers need to come back to the office, Dexus chief executive Darren Steinberg says.

Even as the ASX-listed developer and landlord said office attendance was picking up, with Monday attendance numbers at its Sydney Gateway and Australia Square buildings “nearly” as busy as the middle of the week, there was still a productivity loss from having teams apart, Mr Steinberg said on Thursday.