Hochul says COVID may have killed the traditional work schedule

The coronavirus pandemic may have killed the traditional five-day-a-week office schedule, Governor Kathy Hochul said.

“It will probably never be another week and five days,” Hochul said.

“Maybe four days with flexibility. Maybe three and a half,” she said after an event in Harlem on Tuesday.

However, the governor said she wants employees to occupy office buildings “for a minimum of three to four days” to promote economic recovery. She said the work directly promotes creativity and social development.

“Those staying at home are now missing out on a return to the state,” she said.

The governor said the attenuation of the COVID-19 omicron wave and the lifting of mask regulations will make it more comfortable for New Yorkers to travel and work in person.

Hochul also acknowledged that there is concern among employers that they will lose workers accustomed to remote work during the pandemic if they ask them to return to the office five days a week.

The head of the city’s largest business group agrees that Hochul’s assessment of the flexibility of the workplace is correct.

“Government. Hochul has met a lot of recruiters over the past few months and she is accurately reflecting their views on the future of office work. Kathryn Wylde, CEO of Partnerships for New York City, said people will be expected to return to the office but with some greater flexibility than before.

Business leaders have also raised concerns that a rise in violent crime and theft during the two years of the pandemic – particularly in the subway – has hindered the return of workers to the office. Manhattan room.

The Post previously reported that city companies have offered almost four times as many remote jobs to new applicants in the past year – meaning a growing trend of employees working from home. mainly or exclusively outside the main office.