State Employees Ordered Back to Office in Vermont Amidst Remote Work Policy Gaps
Waterbury, VT – The Vermont Agency of Human Services has mandated that over 100 state employees return to the office full-time, focusing particularly on the Department for Children and Families’ economic services division. This division oversees essential benefit programs including ReachUp and 3Squares. After operating under a hybrid model since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, employees were informed that the new in-office requirement will take effect on November 4, 2023.
Department spokesperson Joshua Marshall cited the need for increased "accessibility" for program recipients as the primary reason for the shift, stating that prior remote work arrangements hindered service delivery. However, this decision has faced backlash from the Vermont State Employees’ Association (VSEA). Executive Director Steve Howard criticized the move as a misguided effort to mask management failures, asserting that staffing shortages, not remote work, are the root cause of the division’s challenges. Howard emphasized that remote work is critical for employee retention, particularly for those facing lengthy commutes.
Despite VSEA’s opposition, the state maintains that it has the authority to dictate remote work policies, a stance bolstered by a dated teleworking policy established in 2012. The Vermont Department of Human Resources lacks comprehensive tracking of remote work participation, leaving the decision largely at the discretion of individual departments.
Uncertain about how to balance the needs of employees with public service demands, HR Commissioner Beth Fastiggi noted that the landscape of teleworking has shifted significantly since the pandemic, highlighting ongoing discussions about enhancing flexibility while maintaining operational effectiveness. As agencies adapt, officials continue to explore metrics to ensure services meet the needs of Vermonters.
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