Work-from-home orders lifted on Monday for Jacksonville but will remote work continue?

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Starting Monday, May 18, work-from-home orders will be lifted in the city of Jacksonville.

However, it’s unclear how many local companies will opt to keep their employees home.

Major office parks in the Deerwood area feel deserted but come Monday employees could start trickling back in, which is welcomed news for places like restaurants and nail salons that count on lunch crowd businesses.

Countless offices in the Deerwood area are home to companies like Comcast and Merrill Lynch.

Barberitos Southwestern Grille & Catina manager, Tammy Mueller, said those employees are her prime clientele.

“Our lunch here relies on the office people. It’s just been crazy slow,” Mueller said.

On Tuesday Mayor Lenny Curry announced work-from-home orders will be lifted.

“I’m removing the mandate, but I hope that employers and employees can continue to allow remote access for those with children and vulnerable populations,” he said.

Curry added that he’s already spoken with a number of companies that plan on keeping their employees working from home despite the order expiring.

Twitter took it a step further by announcing that its employees can work from home in perpetuity.

According to Gallup data, 63% of American employees said they worked from home from the end of April nearly doubling from the month before.

With the lunch crowd dwindling, fewer employees in offices could make it harder for local businesses to stay afloat.

“We’re keeping our fingers crossed that it doesn’t stay that way too long,” Mueller said.

In the meantime, Mueller is staying positive and encouraging people to support them if they can.

“Spend more time with your family bring them to dinner,” she said.

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