Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey had a strong message for those still taking advantage of covid-era policies.
He talked in front of a packed house at the Minneapolis Downtown Council mentioning the result of a study:
“When people have the ability to come downtown to an office and don’t, when they stay home, sitting on their couch with their nasty cat blanket diddling on their laptop… if they do that for a few months, you become a loser!
He followed the statement with this question: “It’s a study. We’re not losers, are we?”
“No we’re winners, we’re resilient, we’re tough we’re strong, we’re innovative, we rise to the challenge. That’s who we are as a city.”
He faced backlash for his strong sentiments. A spokesperson for the mayor said that the ‘loser’ statement was meant as a joke.
Regardless, remote work is not slowing down anytime soon. 42% of full-time employees are either in a hybrid work schedule or work fully work from home.
There is a reason remote work does not sit right with Mayor Frey. Less time at work means less time and less money spent downtown.
That seems to be the initial message he intended to get across with his statement, as he aims to revitalize his city.
At the same event, while pleading with employees to come back to work, he said: “Come experience the greatness of downtown Minneapolis.”
