The city of Philadelphia is ending its coronavirus-era remote work policy and requiring all full-time city employees to return to the office five days a week this summer.
Mayor Sherrell Parker announced Monday that employees will resume working in their offices starting July 15 in an effort to create a “more visible and accessible government.” The decision comes after nearly three years of virtual work policies introduced in the midst of the pandemic.
“Having employees in the workplace allows for more personal and productive interactions,” Parker said in the announcement. “It fosters communication. It fosters social connection, but also collaboration, innovation, and inclusion.”
Parker said about 80% of the city’s 26,000 employees have worked fully in-person since last year, with others spending between 31 and 75 hours on-site per pay period.
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Philadelphia Mayor Sherrell Parker said all full-time city employees must return to the office starting July 15 after nearly three years of virtual work policies put in place during the pandemic. (AP)
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2187, the union representing many of the city’s professional and supervisory employees, said the mayor’s decision was imposed unilaterally without collective bargaining.
The group’s president, David Wilson, said in a statement Monday that the policy would exacerbate the city workforce shortage the city has suffered since the pandemic. He also argued that the changes starting in the summer are likely to complicate parents’ schedules as their children are out of school.
“It’s clearer than ever that the mayor doesn’t care about city employees,” Wilson said. “Her actions speak louder than her words.”
Parker said the administration does not believe the new policy requires collective bargaining.
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Mayor Parker said there will be new changes that will be more “worker friendly” as employees return to work, including extended paid parental leave and additional days off. (Philadelphia Mayor’s Office/X)
The mayor added that more worker-friendly changes have been made, including extending paid parental leave from six weeks to eight weeks and designating the Friday after Thanksgiving as a holiday.
Officials also said restrictions on sick leave for caring for family members will be eased.
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Business leaders, meanwhile, praised the decision, believing it would benefit workers and the vitality of downtown Philadelphia and Center City.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
