Human Resources official: telework widely used and tied to higher employee engagement

Montpelier — On Feb. 20 the Vermont House Corrections and Institutions Committee heard from the commissioner of the Department of Human Resources about the state's telework policy, the use of remote work since the COVID-19 pandemic and how telework affects office-space needs.

The discussion is significant because telework patterns influence demand for office space in state facilities and can affect Montpelier’s downtown traffic and municipal economies.

The commissioner, identified in the transcript as “Beth” (last name not clear in the record), told the committee the statewide telework policy was adopted in 2012 and is implemented at the discretion of appointing authorities. The policy is codified in state personnel policy 11.9 and employees request telework…