City workers’ return-to-office mandate delayed to August after union pushback

After pushback from local labor unions, Mayor Lurie has delayed his return-to-office mandate to August 18. The new plan calls for 4 days in-office per week — a small ask as City Hall works to restore downtown.

The Facts

The city’s return-to-office policy, initially set to start next Monday, April 28, is now delayed to August 18. Workers will be required to come in four days a week, with one remote day. Departments facing space limitations may seek approval for alternate arrangements. The change came after union opposition.

The Context

The Civic Center area and downtown are still struggling with high vacancy rates, sluggish foot traffic, and reduced Muni ridership — all fallout from the remote work era. Lurie’s mandate is meant to lead by example, but if the city won’t show up, why should private employers?

But unions pushed back on the timeline, saying the city moved too fast and had the return-to-office mandate "dropped on [them] out of the blue." Note that covid stay-at-home orders were lifted over four years ago.

The GrowSF Take

Unions are supposed to serve the public interest — not sabotage it. San Francisco’s recovery depends on a fully staffed, in-person city government. The mayor is right to ask more from city workers.

This mandate affects about 10,000 city employees in desk-based roles like IT, HR, and legal. They’re jobs that can and should be done in-person, especially if we want a functional, responsive city government.