By Jorge Casuso

March 27, 2026 -- After six years of allowing many City employees -- including top staff -- to work remotely, the offices at City Hall will soon begin filling up again.

As part of an update to the City's Realignment plan, the City Council approved an action item Tuesday that calls for all executive team members to "immediately transition to working a fully in-person schedule."

The action item calls for "one set of expectations for all workers," while maintaining some flexibility for remote work two days per week and offering incentives to come back to the office.

Because union contracts negotiated under the previous City Manager allow for remote work, City employees cannot be compelled to return to the office full-time, according to City officials.

"Approximately 70 percent of the City’s workforce -- public safety personnel, field crews, and front-line staff –- work in-person every day," according to the staff report from the City Manager's Office.

"The current remote work program in the City has grown inconsistent across departments, creating multiple different employee experiences within the same organization."

Over the next several months, Department heads will identify which positions are eligible for remote work, "with Human Resources reviewing those determinations to ensure consistency across departments and alignment with operational needs."

Starting "at some point" in the final quarter of this year and the first quarter of 2027, those eligible for remote work "will follow a standardized schedule of Tuesday through Thursday in-person, with Monday and Friday as remote work-days."

Department Heads can also authorize a 4-day, 10-hour "compressed work schedule for employees where operational circumstances support it."

To compensate those employees working a fully in-person schedule, an In-Person Workplace Equity Benefit would provide 8 hours per month of "non-cashable and non-bankable leave time."

"For employees who determine that the new remote work structure is incompatible with their life circumstances, the program design includes an Opt-Out Employee Support Program," according to staff.

The program provides 6 months of paid Administrative Leave "following an irrevocable voluntary resignation" for all full-time employees "with at least 6 months of active employment."

According to the staff report, City officials have been in "active discussions" with all bargaining units" and staff is "working to address office space, parking, and commuter support considerations associated with an increased mid-week in-person presence."

For more than two years, the Council has discussed taking steps to revise the remote-work policy that has been in place since the coronavirus shutdown six years ago.

At a budget workshop last March, Councilmember Lana Negrete, who was then Mayor, said it was time for City staff to return to the office.

"We have to buckle down," Negrete said. "We need to lead by example. That means coming to work within our own organization."

Negrete also noted the move would help boost the local economy by "bringing back foot traffic" to restaurants that are often empty or closed for breakfast and lunch.

The City, however, continued offering a remote-work option that would be included in union contracts approved by the Council last year and used as an incentive to recruit new workers.

On Tuesday, several Councilmembers stressed the need to allow flexibility under the new plan.

"I do know that this was something concerning for some staff members," said Councilmember Barry Snell.

"Understanding that individuals have worked remotely for some period of time, and so we want management to be very considerate of it," Snell said.