With nearly half of Americans fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the US is accelerating the return to a pre-pandemic “normal.” This week, “Big Five” publisher Macmillan announced plans to reopen its New York City offices

“Macmillan Publishers has set a return date – offices will officially reopen on October 18, with employees returning to its downtown Manhattan digs on what’s being called, a ‘hybrid, remote-friendly model’,” reports Andrew Albanese, Publishers Weekly senior writer.

Macmillan employees whose work can be done remotely will be able to choose whether, or how often, they return to the office to work. Staffers who choose to work from the office for three or more days a week will receive assigned seating.

“There is unquestionable value to the office being the nucleus of our business,” Macmillan CEO Don Weisberg said in a statement, according to PW.

While Macmillan is the first of the Big Five to release re-opening plans to media, Penguin Random House US CEO Madeline McIntosh has also laid out similar, albeit more tentative, plans for employees, Albanese tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally.