Large downtown companies revealed their plans for the Republican National Convention Tuesday. It comes as they have weighed how to continue doing business while tackling traffic, road closures and security concerns for their employees during the large-scale event.
"We're doing some things like running shuttle buses from two of our suburban locations in Beachwood and Strongsville," said Don Olson, a spokesman for Medical Mutual of Ohio, which has 1,000 employees who work downtown. "We're also encouraging employees who have the technology to work from home."
Staff at Medical Mutual started formulating plans for the RNC last year by forming their own task force, which meets bi-weekly. As a result, there will be increased security in its lobbies. And employees will work at the downtown office or remotely.
"I got the option to work from home, and I think that's the best bet," said Laura Dunn, a Medical Mutual employee. "But I'm sure it will be really exciting and really neat to be downtown during that time."
Olson said any Medical Mutual employee who works from the downtown office during the RNC and takes public transportation will be reimbursed for fares.
In a statement, Key Bank said it is also allowing its employees to work from home or at alternate offices while the convention takes place. PNC has a similar plan although the company said it is closing its main downtown center at Euclid Ave. and East Ninth St. Workers will be expected to work from home or at other locations.
