In the next couple of weeks, Vermont state employees working from home will need to start commuting to the office again.”Remote work has been helpful during this time, but we have plans to bring people back,” said Gov. Phil Scott last week, when he announced a return to office for all state employees.This comes five years after the COVID-19 pandemic sent just about everybody home. Many workers have been getting their work done remotely since then.The governor’s announcement took some state employees by surprise.”We don’t really know why this was decided. It seems to be a solution in search of a problem,” said Scott Howard, the executive director of the Vermont State Employees’ Association.In the days since the governor’s announcement, Howard has been hearing from the people who this will directly affect.”There’s a lot of anxiety,” said Howard. “Because of child care issues, the commutes, and the lack of housing. I think people believe they are more productive and find the ability to work from home preferable to being in an office setting.” Some lingering questions on workers’ minds:Why now? What changed? Where will they be working from?Howard argues that those empty office buildings that have been collecting dust could solve other problems facing the city of Montpelier.”What a missed opportunity to make a real impact on the housing crisis. VSEA has long advocated for the transformation of these office spaces that have not been fully occupied into affordable housing,” said Howard.Howard says his office is planning to meet with the Scott Administration to figure out the best way forward. Vermont’s Agency of Administration says this process is still in early stages and the governor assures Vermonters that there will be a complete plan before this goes into effect.
In the next couple of weeks, Vermont state employees working from home will need to start commuting to the office again.
“Remote work has been helpful during this time, but we have plans to bring people back,” said Gov. Phil Scott last week, when he announced a return to office for all state employees.
Advertisement
This comes five years after the COVID-19 pandemic sent just about everybody home. Many workers have been getting their work done remotely since then.
The governor’s announcement took some state employees by surprise.
“We don’t really know why this was decided. It seems to be a solution in search of a problem,” said Scott Howard, the executive director of the Vermont State Employees’ Association.
In the days since the governor’s announcement, Howard has been hearing from the people who this will directly affect.
“There’s a lot of anxiety,” said Howard. “Because of child care issues, the commutes, and the lack of housing. I think people believe they are more productive and find the ability to work from home preferable to being in an office setting.”
Some lingering questions on workers’ minds:
Why now? What changed? Where will they be working from?
Howard argues that those empty office buildings that have been collecting dust could solve other problems facing the city of Montpelier.
“What a missed opportunity to make a real impact on the housing crisis. VSEA has long advocated for the transformation of these office spaces that have not been fully occupied into affordable housing,” said Howard.
Howard says his office is planning to meet with the Scott Administration to figure out the best way forward. Vermont’s Agency of Administration says this process is still in early stages and the governor assures Vermonters that there will be a complete plan before this goes into effect.
