Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker orders all 25,000 of her staff back to the office as she ends Covid-era work-from-home policy: 'This city runs on the people who come to work!'

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker has ordered the return of all 25,000 of her staff back to the office as she ends the Covid-era work-from-home policy. 

Parker, a 51-year-old Democrat who was sworn in this January, said, 'This city runs on the people who come to work!'    

Announcing the news at City Hall on Monday morning, Parker said city workers must return to the office by June 15. 

'I have notified all workers that they will be transitioning to full-time in-office work effective July 15, 2024.'

'Employee presence at the workplace allows for more personal and productive interaction, it facilitates communication, it promotes social connections along with collaboration, innovation and inclusion,' she said. 

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, who was sworn in this January, has ordered the return of all 25,000 of her staff back to the office as she ends the Covid-era work from home policy

About 80 percent of the city's 25,000 workforce have been working fully on-site since last year, according to the mayor

Announcing the news at City Hall on Monday morning (pictured), Parker said city workers must return to the office by June 15 

Parker believes that bringing workers back to the office will make them more accessible to residents, however, many members of the union disagree. 

While some expressed disappointment with Parkers' decision, others praised her for her strong leadership. 

'Finally some common sense from a Democrat,' one user said on X. 

'Good for her, it will increase foot traffic in Center City and help restaurants, eateries, etc. If the workers don't like it, they can always quit!' another commented. 

A third user questioned the lack of urgency: 'Why do they need a month’s notice?' 

'Our workforce is the only way that Philadelphia truly becomes what I promised to the people, that is the safest, cleanest, greenest big city in America, with access to economic opportunity for all,' she said. 

About 80 percent of the city's 25,000 workforce have been working fully on-site since last year, according to the mayor. 

The remaining 20 percent of city employees worked between 31 to 75 hours per-pay-period on site, she said. 

The president of AFSCME Local 2187, a union that supports municipal workers, David Wilson, expressed disapproval of the mayor's decision in a statement following the press conference. 

He said he was disappointed by the mayor's decision to force workers to return to the office full-time. 

'We are disheartened to hear that the mayor decided to unilaterally implement returning my members to work five days a week on July 15. This to us, is a mandatory subject of bargaining to which the city clearly doesn't,' he said in the statement to NBC 10. 

'Making such an impactful change in the middle of summer or in general, directly harms our members, their families and creates chaos. It has become clearer than ever that the mayor doesn't not care for her city work force. Her actions speak louder than words.'

In March, Parker ordered city leaders, including cabinet members, commissioners, directors and deputy directors, to return back to the office full-time. 

This caused outrage among workers with local union leaders saying employees would seek employment elsewhere if this change were to be implemented. 

There were no union leaders present in Monday's press conference.  

Addressing the union's stance on her decision, Parker said,'I cannot affirm that any of the union presidents for the City of Philadelphia have embraced this.' 

Parker argued that returning to the office is non-negotiable. 

'I as mayor of the City of Philadelphia do not believe that the return to work full-time, in-person is bargainable.'

Parker promoted in-office work to increase productivity, however, some studies have shown the opposite is true. 

A 2020 survey found business may be thriving since work-from-home police was implemented. 

In March, Parker ordered city leaders, including cabinet members, commissioners, directors and deputy directors, to return back to the office full-time

Researchers asked more than 1,600 individuals how they have adapted to working at home and one third said they are more productive than when in the office.

Respondents noted they now have better control of their time and how much work is completed.

In January, Philadelphia's first female mayor has been sworn in and promptly signed an executive order declaring a Public Safety Emergency to tackle rampant crime.

Parker, a long-serving councilwoman, campaigned on a centrist platform of safety, jobs, and city services.

She promised on the campaign trail to hire 300 more police officers, including community officers, and restore 'constitutional' stop-and-frisk. She also put forth the idea of making school year-round, to reduce juvenile delinquency.