Mayor Ted Wheeler has unveiled his five-part workplace model to help ensure the successful implementation of the Charter Measure changes approved by voters, while also improving city-provided services.

In a press release, Mayor Wheeler said “We’ve heard from city employees loud and clear, and this approach provides maximum flexibility for in-person collaboration, while rising to the significant challenges we face and transformation the City is undergoing.” “This model brings our workforce together half-time, which will improve the daily services we offer to Portlanders, and better ensures a successful implementation of charter changes Portlanders enthusiastically approved. We need ‘all hands on deck’ for the next 24 months as we navigate through the transition.”

The new workplace model impacts how often the 40% of city employees currently working in person one day a week must report to the office. The city says the other 60% of city employees continued to serve their community in-person during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are the five components laid out in Mayor Wheeler's plan:

1. Using defined criteria, identify and designate a small percentage of positions as fully remote.
2. Require hybrid employees to do in-person work at least half of their total work time, with new schedules taking effect in April 2023.
3. Maximize flexibility for fully in-person and hybrid positions, with employees and managers collaborating to set schedules and establish new telework agreements.
4. Bring a rule to City Council for adoption, requiring all employees, including those who are fully remote and hybrid, to work from either Oregon or Washington.
5. Create a Citywide exceptions process, providing a pathway for hybrid employees with special circumstances to modify the in-person work requirement.

Portland City Council has asked that the Office of Management and Finance continue to prioritize flexibility and collaboration in implementing this new model. City employees will get tools and training to support employees and maximize the value of in-person work.