MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – The state of Vermont has ordered more than 100 state workers to return to the office five days a week.
The economic division of the Department for Children and Families deals with processing benefits for Vermonters. For years, many of its employees have been on a hybrid work schedule. But two weeks ago, they were ordered back into the office five days a week.
DCF says the decision to suspend teleworking is aimed at being more accessible and available to Vermonters.
The union representing employees worries the move could send skilled talent elsewhere.
“This is going to drive people who were dependent on that hybrid schedule to look for other opportunities that offer hybrid work. And when that happens, there won’t be people there to process the benefits in a timely way that Vermonters are depending on,” said Steve Howard, the executive director of the Vermont State Employees’ Association.
Some 130 economic services employees will be able to stay remote.
Since the pandemic, large swaths of state buildings have remained empty while taxpayers still pay for their upkeep.
