During a committee hearing, Democrats expressed doubt about a GOP bill aimed at restricting remote work for state employees, while Republicans argued it is necessary to ensure productivity. The bill was introduced after a report found some state workers were not adhering to their telework agreements. The co-authors of the bill argued that state employees should return to in-person work now that the pandemic has ended, citing a lack of documentation and oversight in remote work arrangements.
The bill would require state employees to return to work in-person starting July 1, with exemptions for telehealth services and duties performed off-site before March 1, 2020. Concerns were raised about the lack of flexibility in the bill and its impact on efforts to consolidate state office buildings. The authors of the bill defended their intent, stating that they are not implying state employees are lazy and that employees have options like paid time off.
Governor Tony Evers’ spokesperson criticized the bill, highlighting the governor’s Vision 2030 plan to sell underused state properties and generate savings. The authors of the bill were the only ones who testified, and a report found that some state employees had telework agreements allowing them to work remotely an average of 2.7 days per week. Overall, the debate surrounding the bill revolves around productivity, oversight, flexibility, and the impact on state employees and office spaces.
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