SEPTA will discontinue remote work policies starting in September.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) announced the termination of its remote work policy for office employees, effective September 15, 2025. This decision comes during a critical period for the transit agency, which is currently facing significant budget challenges amid delays in Pennsylvania’s state funding.
In an email addressed to employees, Scott A. Sauer, the general manager of SEPTA, articulated a vision for a new phase marked by growth, accountability, and an emphasis on collaboration. He emphasized the importance of physical presence in the workplace to enhance teamwork and foster a stronger internal culture. This move is designed to ensure that all administrative and managerial staff return to their designated work locations on a full-time basis, effectively abolishing the current arrangement that allows for one day of remote work per week.
SEPTA has over 2,000 employees participating in the existing remote work policy, which was initially a more flexible arrangement permitting two days of telecommuting. The decision to mandate a full-time return to the office is positioned as a necessary adjustment in response to a larger budget crisis, as the agency awaits a final decision from Harrisburg regarding future funding support. With Pennsylvania’s 2026 budget currently overdue, SEPTA has projected a budget deficit of 3 million without an increase in state financial assistance, which is crucial for maintaining service levels.
To address these financial constraints, SEPTA plans to implement significant service cuts beginning in August and a fare increase of 21.5% starting September 1. The rationale behind reinstating in-person work is also rooted in solidarity with the majority of SEPTA’s workforce—over 9,000 operatives, maintenance personnel, and station agents—who have been unable to work from home during the pandemic and have remained on the front lines throughout the various challenges faced by the agency.
Sauer conveyed that returning to the office is not only a show of support for these frontline workers but also essential for innovation and collaboration, which tend to flourish in an in-person work environment. This shift aligns with broader trends in various sectors, where companies and public institutions are increasingly reverting to traditional office arrangements post-pandemic.
As SEPTA moves forward, it joins a growing list of organizations reevaluating their remote work policies, highlighting the ongoing debate over the balance between flexibility and the necessity of in-person engagement in the evolving workplace landscape.
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