New York City government employees can work remotely for up to two days a week, as part of an agreement resulting from his new contract with the city, Mayor Eric Adams announced.

New York’s tens of thousands of municipal workers have largely been forced to commute to their offices five days a week since September 2021.

Critics, including comptroller Brad Lander, have blamed the strict policy on exacerbating the shortage of city workers by lowering morale and scaring off potential applicantsdescribes the portal Crain’s New York.

“I have always said that any flexible work program the city offers should recognize reality there are some roles that cannot be filled remotelyAdams said in a statement.

“This new pilot program protects the basic services New Yorkers trust and gives city workers additional flexibility in their schedules,” the mayor added.

A committee to study remote work was a key part of the five-year contract agreement the city reached in February with the 37th District Council, the union representing some 90,000 city employees. That committee aimed to set up a pilot program for hybrid working before June 1, according to the city council.

Employees at more than 30 of the city’s approximately 50 agencies will be able to update a hybrid schedule once the program is implementedsaid the city council.

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The total number of employees is yet to be determined, as each agency will submit its own flexible work plan and list of eligible employees.

Suitability is determined by the work performance of the employees, if they are represented by DC37 and if their title allows remote work, the city said.