Vermont State Employees Association president confronts telework policy inequities

Concerns over telework policies and employee treatment dominated the Vermont House Human Services Committee meeting on April 24, 2025. The discussion revealed significant dissatisfaction among state employees regarding the management's approach to remote work accommodations, particularly for those in caregiving roles.

Committee members questioned whether telework policies applied equally across all offices, with some suggesting that management and certain teams, like the call center, were allowed to telework while others were not. This inconsistency has raised concerns about workplace culture and employee morale. One committee member noted, “It feels like it’s a sort of something that people are feeling and sensing that sort of permeates the work culture.”

Amy Bertrand, president of the Vermont State Employees Association, shared her personal struggles with the current telework policy. She described her experience as a long-term employee and single mother, emphasizing the challenges she faces in balancing work and caregiving responsibilities. Bertrand recounted how her requests for remote work accommodations were repeatedly denied, despite support from her supervisors and the union. “I feel the lack of communication and follow-through was retaliatory,” she stated, highlighting a broader issue of perceived inequity in how remote work requests are handled.

The meeting underscored a growing frustration among employees who feel unsupported by the administration. Bertrand's testimony, along with others, pointed to a need for more transparent communication and a collaborative approach to policy-making that includes input from frontline workers. As the committee continues to address these issues, the implications for employee satisfaction and retention in Vermont's human services sector remain significant.