Discussion Regarding the Employee Telecommuting Policy. 

The purpose of this discussion is for the City Council to consider expanding the telecommuting policy to certain union positions.  

The current policy has been in place for many years.  As written, only non-union employees are eligible to apply for the program.  A current marked up draft policy is attached to this case.   In summary, staff would like the City Council to consider expanding the policy to union employees that work in the office or primarily work in the office.  As a reminder, the City Administrator and Department Head must agree to all telecommuting arrangements and the arrangement may be revoked at any time if there are problems with performance or the City's needs change.  

Telecommuting is a management strategy where employees work a combination of off and on site.  They complete their work and are evaluated on performance, not presence, focusing on results.  Staff feels telecommuting increases the organization’s performance while creating the right climate for people to manage all the demands in their lives; always driven by a focus on  results.  Staff feels the following information summarizes the benefits of expanding the telecommuting policy:

• Recently, during the pandemic, the temporary expansion of the telecommuting policy has saved the City from losing some key employees.  Knowing how effective remote work is, these employees would like to continue such a policy into the future.  
• Telecommuting has a very strong focus on efficiency.   Managers and staff determine the results that need to be achieved in their areas and how to achieve them in the most efficient way possible while creating a better work life balance for employees.   
• Telecommuting may help retain long-term employees that would otherwise consider early retirement, causing a loss of institutional knowledge.  It may also allow greater freedom in succession planning.
• Adopting a broader telecommuting policy is expected to attract and retain the next generation of workers; employees not satisfied with a culture that rewards time spent at work vs. results. 
• It has become increasingly clear that our employees want to see results and efficiency, have greater autonomy, and take ownership of their work in the environment that is most conducive to productivity.

Approximately 10 minutes.

Not applicable at this time.

Colleen Lasher, Administrative Services Director
Tim Gladhill, Deputy City Administrator/Community Development Director

For the City Council to, by consensus, direct staff to update/expand the City's telecommuting policy and bring it back to a future Council meeting for formal adoption.