"Just before Labor Day weekend, state workers received a memo informing of the governor's intent to erode labor rights by having employees return to office a minimum of three days per week. Whether this timing was intentional or simply poorly thought out, the optics are not lost on me. Communications from senior leadership thus far surrounding this change have only felt like further cheapshots to the gut."
"In a video sent to all employees, Scott himself waxes on about the connection to our community that the office brings, as if at the office we aren't siloed into cubicles behind locked doors. I can't help but wonder if those who are making this decision have worked in an average office since the Covid-19 pandemic. They seem to imagine an office as some out-of-touch reality, aspiring to recreate something reminiscent of an '80s sitcom watercooler."
"My department conducts an annual employee engagement survey. Routinely, we see remote work as a top benefit enjoyed by employees. It affords a work-life balance we are privileged to have and one I personally would fight for all workers to enjoy whenever able. To this end, my department recently consolidated employees from multiple buildings into one space and moved to an even more remote schedule."
A memo announced an intent to require state employees to return to the office a minimum of three days per week, described as restoring office camaraderie, mentoring, and community connection. Senior leadership communications emphasized small talk, hallway interactions, and mentor relationships as office benefits. Many employees view remote work as a top benefit providing work-life balance. Some departments consolidated space and moved to more remote schedules, raising doubts about physical capacity under the new mandate. Department leadership reports a lack of consultation from the governor's office. Decision timing and messaging caused resentment and concern about eroding labor rights.
Read at VTDigger
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