It’s time to return to the office Philadelphia! In a press conference Monday morning Mayor Cherelle Parker issued a new mandate requiring city employees to return to the office.
Return To Office
The new mandate goes into effect beginning July 15th, 2024 and requires city employees to return to office for in-person work.
“In alignment with my administration’s goals of creating a more visible and accessible government, I have notified all city workers that they will be transitioning to full-time in office work,” Parker announced in today’s press conference.
Parker insists having employees present and on-site is important for communication.
“Employee presence at the workplace allows for more personal and productive interactions,” Parker said. “It facilitates communication. It promotes social connections as well as collaboration, innovation and inclusion. It also delivers on my promise of an accessible workforce that is best situated to serve the people of Philadelphia.”
As a result of the COVID pandemic, Philadelphia has had a virtual work policy put in place since 2021. Parker’s new mandate will essentially revoke this remote policy in favor for an on-stie one.
“Our workforce is the only way that Philadelphia truly becomes what I promised to the people, that is the safest, cleanest and greenest big city in America with access to equal opportunity for all,” Parker said.
Revoking Remote
The Mayor did state the new policy will allow for occasional remote work in the case of “periodic life circumstances.” Additional caveats of the new policy includes:
- increased paid parental leave
- emergency care needs for children and elders
- relaxation of restrictions on the use of sick leave for family members
- Black Friday to be designated as a holiday
Since 2023, approximately 80% of the city’s workforce has return to on-site work. Since March 2024, the Mayor has ordered senior officials back to the office. All city employees must return to on-site work starting July 15th, 2024.
On the contrary, following the Mayor’s announcement, David Wilson, president of AFSCME Local 2187 disapproved of Parker’s decision.
“We are disheartened to hear that the mayor decided to unilaterally implement returning my members to work 5 days a week on July 15. This to us, is a mandatory subject of bargaining to which the city clearly doesn’t,” he said in a statement.
“Making such an impactful change in the middle of summer or in general, directly harms our members, their families and creates chaos. It has become clearer than ever that the mayor doesn’t not care for her city work force. Her actions speak louder than words.”
The Mayor’s office is working with managers to prepare for the July deadline focusing on office space, equipment, and other necessary support.