Amid Train Delays, NJ Towns Ask NYC Bosses To Let Employees Work From Home

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Are you a New York City employer fed up with your Garden State workers shuffling into the office late every morning after yet another frustrating train ride through New York Penn Station?

There’s a solution, according to town officials in an Essex County suburb… let them work from home.

On Wednesday, Maplewood’s mayor, deputy mayor and three township committee members issued a letter that asks NYC employers to consider letting their workers operate from home as local commuters gear up for the upcoming NJ Transit and Amtrak delays some are referring to as the “Summer of Hell.”

South Orange Village President Sheena C. Collum issued residents a similar letter on Wednesday, asking NYC employers to "consider temporary flexible hours and alternative work schedules (including options to work from home one or more days a week) for your employees who reside and commute from South Orange."

• See related article: NJT Service Changes: Big Disruptions For Morris & Essex Line Commuters This Summer
• See related article: Amtrak Releases ‘Summer Of Hell’ Plan For N.J. Train Commuters

The Maplewood document, titled “Letter to NYC Employers for Maplewood Commuters,” states:

“Due to track repairs at New York Penn Station scheduled from July 10 to Sept. 1, we request that you consider the option of permitting your employees who reside in Maplewood to work from home one or more days a week.

“During this eight-week construction period, traditionally scheduled weekday trains from Maplewood to NY Penn Station will be rerouted to Hoboken where train riders will have to make a connection across the Hudson. As a result, commuters from Maplewood will experience a significant increase in travel times. In addition to the incremental commute time, the diversion will result in a stressful environment with over 23,000 commuters being impacted.

“If you choose to allow your Maplewood-based commuter to work remotely as a result of their increased travel time during this period, please note that the Township of Maplewood plans to assist its residents with expanded hours for our two library buildings. This will allow to access quiet workspaces, conference rooms and video conferencing space.”

The letter is signed by Mayor Victor DeLuca, Deputy Mayor Nancy Adams, and town committee members India Larrier, Greg Lembrich and Frank McGehee. Read the full letter here.

Here’s what South Orange's Collum wrote to NYC employers:

“If working from home is not an option due to the nature of the job, please also consider allowing your employees to come in a little later or leave a little earlier to avoid the rush hours. While all of our riders will experience numerous inconveniences, working families will feel it the most. Our residents will be receiving roughly a $5 discount per day for their troubles, but that amount pales in comparison to the cost of additional child care and coordinating new pick up and drop off times so that parents/guardians can get to work. Lastly, capacity issues continue to be of grave concern to me as the public safety of our residents and your employees must come first.”

Read her full letter here.

AN EXCUSE NOTE FOR YOUR BOSS

In April, NJ Transit reminded workers with fed-up employers that the agency is happy to provide a “delay letter” that explains the situation.

New Jersey and New York commuters can pick up their delay letters at any NJ Transit’s customer service offices or via the agency’s website.

• See related article: NJ Transit Offers Riders ‘Delay Letters’ To Placate Fed-Up Bosses

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