Photo: Jared Brosnan/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Remote and work-from-home policies are under scrutiny in Boston, where a city councilor is calling for public employees to return to the office.
Citing a 2024 study, Councilor Ed Flynn says remote work policies would potentially cost the City of Boston between $1.7 and $2.1 billion in annual tax revenue. That, along with small businesses and local restaurants seeing a decline in customers, Flynn says the city can no longer afford for all sectors of the economy to work from home indefinitely and continue to contribute to the decline in commercial property values.
He recently introduced a resolution urging the city to resume in-person work for a minimum of four days and cut back on hybrid or virtual meetings. The opinions from residents in the Bay State are mixed. Gabby from Southie, who just started a new job and understands the importance of communing with her new co-workers, said she sympathizes with those with families.
Read More: Advocates Call For City Of Boston To Pay Reparations To Its Black Citizens
"I'm for it, but I know it's gonna be hard for a lot of people who have longer commutes and kids and other things to think about," she explained.
While Flynn says the public sector has a responsibility to bring back foot traffic, residents like Megan from Southie say they understand both sides of the argument.
"I see the benefit of being virtual. I think a lot of people have been able to pick up jobs they wouldn't necessarily from not being in person, but I could see how local businesses are definitely failing especially in the area," she said.
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@jamesrojas.bsky.social) reports.