Federal workers in San Francisco urged to work remotely for safety reasons

August 13, 2023 4:02 p.m.

The US Department of Health and Human Services had told its hundreds of employees in San Francisco that it was too dangerous to come to the office.

HHS Assistant Secretary for Administration Cheryl R. Campbell issued the recommendation to stay at home in an Aug. 4 memo to regional leaders, according to the

“In light of the conditions at the (federal building), we recommend that employees…maximize the use of telecommuting for the foreseeable future,” Campbell wrote in the memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Chronicle.

The move highlights the city's downward spiral, which has seen many businesses abandon their outlets and workers flee entering city offices. The continued lack of foot traffic — exacerbated by open drug use among the street population — has many observers saying San Francisco is in a “catastrophic loop,” in which negative events trigger more negative events, resulting in an endless decline in the quality of life.

HHS memo highlights dangers outside federal building Nancy Pelosi on seventh street south of the market district. The 18-story tower on the corner of Seventh and Mission houses several federal agencies, including the Departments of Labor and Transportation, as well as Pelosi's office. It is unclear whether other agencies have issued similar opinions.

The area is also said to be home to one of the city's most cheeky outdoor drug markets ever base days.

Ironically, the HHS memo was revealed as the White House Chief of Staff of President Joe Biden called for more federal employees to return to office.

JavaScript is required to load comments.

Loading comments...