Number
201196
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
200001
Sponsor
ALD. COGGS
Title
Substitute resolution directing the Department of Employee Relations and the Department of Administration to present a report to the Common Council on the implementation of permanent remote work schedules for City employees.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of Employee Relations and the Department of Administration to present a report to the Common Council on the implementation of permanent remote work schedules for City employees.
Body
Whereas, The 2021 Budget was adopted by Common Council File Number 200001 on November 24, 2020; and
Whereas, Amendment 18 to the 2021 Budget placed a footnote in the Budget stating “The Department of Employee Relations and the Department of Administration shall present a report to the Common Council on the permanent implementation of remote work schedules for City employees”; and
Whereas, As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a large portion of City staff have worked remotely from their homes for many months in order to eliminate in-person contact and slow the spread of the virus; and
Whereas, The City’s technical staff have guided employees to set up Virtual Private Networks (VPN) in order to access files and emails from their home computers, and have provided instructions for accessing and using applications such as GoToMeeting; and
Whereas, By discussing remote work schedules with City departments, the Department of Administration and the Department of Employee Relations will better understand the specific nature of virtual work and be able to assess which positions are best suited to remain virtual; and
Whereas, In many cases, teleworking requires only a home computer or laptop, internet access, and sometimes a telephone; and
Whereas, Studies show that many workers are able to maintain or even increase focus and production levels when working from home, and many report the positive aspects of spending more time at h...
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