Seattle Councilmember Rivera statement on Mayor’s latest return to office policy

Seattle City Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) today expressed disappointment in Mayor Bruce Harrell's announcement that he is requiring executive branch employees to report to their worksite in-person only three days a week. Since July, Legislative Department staff have been required to work onsite four days a week. She issued the following statement:

"Today, Mayor Harrell announced that city workers will be required to report to their worksite three days a week. While this is a step forward in the right direction, it's simply not enough.

Our front-line workers have now been in person, five days a week, for over four years throughout the pandemic. These are the folks who have kept the lights on in Seattle. They have been fighting fires, providing emergency services, repairing streets, removing our trash and recycling, fixing broken water lines, taking care of our kids, driving buses and trains, and so much more.

It's not equitable that our front-line workers are expected to be in person every day while our office workers are not. Seattleites need and deserve the most complete and highest quality services our workers can provide. We can't provide this level of service if people aren't here.

Back in March, I urged the mayor to return city employees to in-person work a minimum of 4 days a week, and continued to do so after the Legislative department went to 4 days a week earlier this year. I remain committed to this outcome and look forward to partnering with the mayor in making it a reality," said Councilmember Rivera.