(KRON) -- After several years of working remotely, Oakland city workers received orders this week to begin returning to the office. Oakland City Administrator Jestin Johnson sent a memo to staff outlining a timeframe for employees to work in-person four days a week.
In the memo, Johnson cited Administration Instruction 594 (AI 594), which created a telecommuting work program in September 2021. At the time, Johnson said, AI 594 was "a much-needed tool for our employees to help the City maintain service levels while practicing social distancing and pandemic safety."
Then-President Joe Biden declared the pandemic over a year later in September 2022.
"COVID-19 remains an important health safety issue, but we have collectively moved into newer, safer health conditions," Johnson said. "As AI 594 states, 'Telecommuting is a privilege, not a right.' Therefore, I intend to discontinue all telecommuting agreements and arrangements and require that all City employees report back to the office."
Oakland city workers will begin returning to office on Tuesday, Feb. 18, according to the city's timeline. That's when unrepresented department directors, assistant/deputy directors, managers and supervisors are expected to begin showing up at the office four days a week.
That expectation will be extended to all city workers beginning on Monday, April 7.
The city administrator added that flexibility for occasional remote work will be extended to city employees on a "case-by-case basis."
"I know this announcement will prompt many important questions, and the City Administrator's Office will work with all our departments and labor partners to address this transition's impacts," Johnson said.
Oakland's return-to-office order follows closely on the heels of around 100 City of Oakland employees receiving layoff notices this week.