Returning state workers to the office is a good call
Less than a month into his term, Gov. Josh Shapiro has been firing out executive orders like an Uzi. He hit a bullseye last week by ordering 2,300 state workers — all of them senior managers — to return to the office at least three days a week. The move, effective March 6, should create a more balanced workplace that provides workers with flexibility, but also regains the numerous advantages of in-person interactions, resulting in better service for the taxpayers who support state government.
Remote or telework accelerated during the height of the COVID pandemic, when people who could stay home were advised to do so. The pandemic no longer dominates U.S. society, but the trend toward more remote work among white-collar workers has continued. People enjoy the flexibility and convenience of working at home, and some are reluctant to give it up, even though health risks no longer dictate that they stay at home.
With technology that enables employees to learn, teach, communicate and collaborate through video meetings and conferences, team chats, webinars and other platforms, some office professionals, managers and administrators have performed well with little direct contact with their co-workers and employees. In Pennsylvania’s state government, roughly 25% of the 72,000 salaried employees, or 18,000 of them, telework part-time or fulltime. The rest report to jobs on-site every work day.
Forcing non-union state employees to come to their work locations at least some of the time seems fairer, as laborers generally don’t have the luxury of teleworking. But the benefits to the state run much deeper than greater equity. Job performance improves and communication sharpens when people collaborate, mentor and support one another, as well as absorb information from a broader workplace environment. They also experience a camaraderie with other workers that deepens their commitment to a shared mission. Working physically with others can also make the job a lot more fun.
Downtown and local businesses, many of which suffered greatly during the pandemic, will also benefit from more people in the workplace.
Mr. Shapiro handled the rollout of the new policy smartly by starting with non-union senior managers, the governor’s office staff and cabinet members. The tone and example should be sent from the top.
Workplaces and jobs will never return to the way they were before the pandemic, but Gov. Shapiro’s order to return more than 2,000 state workers to the office should make state government better and more productive.