Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Administration today announced that state employees who can telework should expect to do so at least through December 31, 2020.
“Doing our part to help Vermont continue to limit the spread of COVID-19, while continuing to provide critical services to Vermonters remains our top priority, and flexible work schedules and worksites are key to that mission,” said Administration Secretary Susanne Young. “While other aspects of daily life may remain uncertain, it is important that we provide state employees with some certainty about the expectation for when and how they return to their office settings.”
The majority of state employees surveyed informally by several agencies and departments about their remote work experience report that they can complete 100% of their work from home and telework provided the flexibility needed to balance childcare, work schedules and other challenges presented by the pandemic in their daily lives.
With the recent announcement that school schedules will vary across the state and move away from the traditional school week, families need to adapt their schedules accordingly. Providing the continued flexibility in location and hours when possible is a step that employers can take in the short term.
Additionally, maintaining a low density of employees in our worksites continues to be critical to our ongoing efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
Agencies and departments that require employees to report to their worksite to meet operational needs as the state increases the availability of in person services will continue to do so in a manner that is safe for both the employees and the public. Agency heads will also work with all employees to provide flexible work schedules for onsite work that meet the needs of both the agency and the employees. Requests from employees to return to their worksite, rather than telework, will be considered on a case by case basis.
All state employees will be expected to adhere to health and safety requirements for in person worksites. Masks are mandatory in all state worksites when physical distancing is not possible, and employees who return to their worksites will be provided training, complete daily screening and otherwise follow personal hygiene protocols, such as frequent handwashing and remaining home when ill.
State employees will receive an update on or before November 1, 2020 regarding any further extension of the telework directive.
To view the full memo from the Secretary of Administration, visit https://aoa.vermont.gov/bulletins/memos.
To view the full memo from the Commissioner of Human Resources, click HERE.
Source: Montpelier, Vt.—The Agency of Administration 8.6.2020