All of JPMorgan's advisors, brokers and other U.S. employees are expected to return to their offices by early July, although the return will occur in hybrid format, with all employees to be on a rotational schedule and subject to the firm's current 50% occupancy cap, the firm said in a memo to employees.
The news, initially reported by Bloomberg on Tuesday, did not exactly come as a surprise. Jamie Dimon, CEO and chairman of JPMorgan, pointed out in his letter to shareholders on April 7 that most of his firm's employees will be returning to the office at some point, although he didn't provide a specific time frame.
"Throughout the pandemic, our buildings and branches in the U.S. have remained open and have safely operated for our essential employees, to whom we remain incredibly grateful," JPMorgan said in the memo.
"As the U.S. surpasses its goal of more than 200 million COVID-19 vaccinations administered and more cities and states lift restrictions, we will open our U.S. offices to all employees on Monday, May 17 subject to our current 50% occupancy cap," the firm said.
That cap will remain in place "at least until" the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "revises its social distancing guidelines," according to JPMorgan.
The May scheduling is being done so employees "can get comfortable with being back in an office environment," the firm explained, adding: "Understanding that this may take some time, we would fully expect that by early July, all U.S.-based employees will be in the office on a consistent rotational schedule, also subject to our current 50% occupancy cap."
Therefore, JPMorgan employees should "start making any needed arrangements to help with your successful return," it advised. "Each line of business will work with their managers and location leaders to determine an appropriate schedule. Our branches and offices outside of the U.S. will continue to follow their established processes."
In addition to the occupancy cap and rotational schedule, the firm will continue to "follow all government restrictions and mandates and be prepared to pause or reverse your return if needed," it said. JPMorgan will also continue to follow its own health and safety protocols and "provide information and resources to help you get vaccinated because we know that getting vaccinated means less risk of spreading the virus to our families, friends and colleagues," it said.
"More details on returning to the office will be provided in the coming days and weeks to help you prepare," the company added.
BofA Expects Phased Return
Meanwhile, Merrill Lynch parent Bank of America continues to make plans for company employees "who are currently working from home to return to the office," according to BofA CEO Brian Moynihan.
"We will do so on a business-by-business, market-by-market, office-by-office basis driven by our health and safety framework," he said April 20 during the company's annual meeting of shareholders.
"Provided that we continue to see the trends we're seeing today, our expectation in the U.S. is we'll be back — generally back towards a more normal operating posture as we move past Labor Day," he said. "In other areas around the world it's different. Of course, the health and safety of our team remains a top priority as we make plans to return to office and we'll continue to monitor and adjust our plans as needed."
He went on to say, during the Q&A: "We are a work-from-office company. We've been clear with that. We have always had a work-from-home program … but it requires great discipline to execute on that appropriately."
Therefore, the plan is for everybody to return to offices after Labor Day, "as long as the virus and vaccine paths stay steady," he added.
The firm's plans are for "employees to return to their offices in phases, depending on employees' roles and local health guidelines, a company spokeswoman told ThinkAdvisor on Friday.
