The Auburn Hills water main break means thousands of Stellantis NV headquarters employees in the city have started the week working from home, with no immediate timetable on a return to the office.
The early Sunday break of a 42-inch transmission line in River Woods Park prompted a state of emergency in Auburn Hills and nearby communities. Officials issued boil water advisories for the city and surrounding areas over concerns that water could become contaminated.
On Monday afternoon, Stellantis said only employees in “critical and essential areas or functions” should report to the office starting Tuesday. Everyone else is to continue working from home until further notice, the statement from spokesperson Jodi Tinson said.
Most workers had already spent Monday working from home.
Stellantis workers in Auburn Hills are starting the week at home after a major water line break in the city.
Buildings affected by the water main break that will be open to essential staff only starting Tuesday include the Chrysler Technology Center, the Chrysler Office Building, the Featherstone Road Engineering Center and the Quality Engineering Center. The Lapeer Road Marshalling Center will stay closed until further notice.
“Employees who can work remotely should continue to do so until notified otherwise,” the automaker said. “Employees should continue to monitor local news outlets and the company’s intranet for additional updates.”
More: Water fix in Auburn Hills could take weeks; schools, businesses close
Stellantis, Auburn Hills’ largest employer, is among a number of schools and businesses that have been temporarily forced to close due to the water concerns, with nursing homes also evacuated. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency.
The automaker in late March mandated that employees start working in-office from its headquarters and other buildings five days per week, after a prior hybrid work arrangement of at least three days.
More: Stellantis slashed jobs for years. Now it’s on a hiring spree
Great Lakes Water Authority officials said it will be at least two weeks until the water main is repaired. For Stellantis, that could complicate planning for a major investor gathering at the headquarters building on May 21, where CEO Antonio Filosa and other executives are set to release a new strategic plan for the automaker.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Stellantis staff work at home after water main break; no return timetable