City employees are required to be at work

Concerns Over City Employee Attendance in Los Angeles

With the noticeable drop in public services in Los Angeles, it’s, well, a bit odd that city workers aren’t showing up to work in person.

A recent stroll around the city’s offices revealed a rather ghostly scene; many were found empty. It felt a bit like a “zombie apocalypse,” really.

It seemed as though a lot of city staff were working from home, as if the pandemic’s still happening.

This wasn’t during an extended holiday weekend, mind you. Just a typical Friday.

City officials confirmed to reporters that this situation isn’t unusual.

For those citizens needing assistance from the city, the outcome was disappointing. They had taken time off, braved the traffic, navigated the confusing streets, paid for parking—only to find nothing but closed doors.

Is this really how Mayor Karen Bass envisions preparing for the Olympics?

While it’s clear that she has instructed her own staff to be at work four days a week, other departments don’t seem to share the same expectation.

This lack of engagement is hardly a compelling case for a city aiming to get support for a tax increase on the upcoming June ballot.

Residents deserve clarity on whether their tax dollars are being used effectively. At a glance, it appears some funds are being squandered by absent employees.

Yes, remote work options are beneficial—flexible schedules often help parents, especially mothers, juggling family and career. But for public employees funded by taxpayers, is it too much to ask for a traditional 9-to-5 commitment?

Beyond just the challenges of completing city work, there lies a more troubling sentiment towards the public. This isn’t just limited to local governance, either.

The root of this issue is years of political stagnation and dominance by a single party.

Politicians have figured out that if they cater to their party’s donors and most outspoken advocates, re-election is almost guaranteed, barring any scandals.