PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — High-level city officials in Philadelphia are returning to the office full-time starting Monday — part of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s initiative to get all city and private sector employees working in person again rather than remotely.
Cabinet, director and deputy director level positions, as well as those who report directly to them, are now required to be on-site five days a week for the first time since the pandemic started.
“This decision was made with several factors in mind, including sustaining a framework of collaboration and efficiency and delivering on my promise of a more visible and accessible workforce,” Parker said in a message to the affected workers last month.
About 80% of city workers are already back in person full-time. Parker would like to see the rest return as well, but there is no timeline for that to happen.
Parker also wants more businesses to follow suit. She cited the economic impact that would have in a speech to the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce last week.
“This is not just affecting your business. It’s impacting surrounding businesses, the safety on our streets, the efficiency of SEPTA,” Parker said.
A Center City District report released at the end of last year found that 64% of office workers on West Market Street and JFK Boulevard were working in the office regularly, according to cellphone data. It was higher in the health care, retail and hospitality industries — 75%.