Commission discusses return-to-office stance; members cite perception and productivity concerns

Members of the District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities discussed Jan. 22 how the agency should handle return-to-office expectations after different in-office schedules were used last year.

Commission Chairperson Reggie Van Lee told the executive committee the agency experimented with in-office work in October and that managers are now discussing what a return-to-office schedule should look like. "We are working with our staff now to see what would be, the best course of action when it comes to return that work," Aaron Myers, the commission's executive director, said.

Vice Chair Gretchen Wharton and other commissioners emphasized the importance of perception among city leaders and the public. "It is a perception that's important that you should be aware of ... they call it the Ghost Town because people aren't at work," Wharton said, urging leadership to weigh how the agency appears alongside other government offices.

Other commissioners urged balancing perception with measurable productivity. One commissioner observed that productive employees will meet goals whether remote or in-person, while another replied that having staff onsite provides additional ways to gauge work and respond to concerns.

Myers said staff input is being collected and that the commission should expect a clearer proposal at the February meeting. Commissioners asked for a timeline and suggested pilots and milestones so the committee can track implementation and impacts on grants and other work.

No formal policy was adopted at the Jan. 22 meeting; commissioners said they expect a staff-informed plan and possible pilot to be presented next month.