Sugar Grove — Trustees were divided over a proposed work-from-home policy for village employees that would permit eligible staff to work remotely up to four days per calendar month with department-head approval. After extended discussion the board stopped short of adopting the policy and directed staff to return with revisions.

Village Administrator Scott Coppell said the draft policy was prepared because the village currently lacks an adopted, board-approved work-from-home policy; the draft permits up to four remote workdays per calendar month for positions whose duties can be performed remotely and allows the administrator to approve more than four days in extenuating circumstances. Coppell said the draft also contemplates equipment/stipend arrangements and department-head oversight so the building remains staffed for the public.

Trustees expressed a range of views. Several trustees opposed the policy as written, saying four remote days per month was too permissive for public employees who are paid by taxpayers and may regularly interact with the public. Concerns included supervision, loss of informal on-the-job mentoring, difficulty covering in-person requests when staff are remote, and confidentiality risks if employees take sensitive calls from home.

Other trustees and one resident speaker supported a formal policy, saying that flexibility helps recruit and retain employees and that many staff have been working from home since COVID with good results. Trustees suggested tighter limits — a common proposed compromise was two remote workdays per month for routine use and additional allowances for extenuating circumstances such as medical needs or childcare.

Coppell said he would incorporate feedback and return with a revised draft; he also noted the village’s pending job postings had been held until the board provided direction about whether to advertise flexible schedules as a recruitment benefit. No policy vote occurred at the meeting; trustees asked staff to return with a revised policy that narrows the routine monthly allowance, clarifies which positions are eligible, and includes confidentiality and coverage protocols.