Remote state workers in Vermont must return to offices in December

"We just think that it's time and it won't be back full time. We'll still have remote work for some. But I think we'll get the best results from bringing back people into the office so they can interact with one another,"

"I think people need to be back together from just a mentorship, to learning. We have state employees retiring every day and the new crop of employees coming in need to learn from someone. Pre-pandemic we were five days a week. I think three days a week makes sense."

"It's about what we want to look like five years from now, ten years from now, and how we want to interact with each other and also with the Vermonters that we serve. We believe that it is really critical to our workforce to come back together more frequently now."

Vermont will require state employees who have been working remotely to return to offices at least three days per week beginning December 1. Governor Phil Scott said hybrid work will continue for some but in-person interaction supports mentorship, learning, and workforce development as many employees retire and new hires need on-the-job training. Secretary of Administration Sarah Clark said increased in-person collaboration will shape the future of state government and improve interaction with Vermonters. The Vermont State Employees' Association opposes the mandate, arguing remote work aids recruitment, retention, service quality, housing conversion potential, child care, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Read at WAMC