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County commissioners vote to return most department employees to in-office work by Feb. 1
Summary
Oklahoma County commissioners voted to direct Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) department employees to return to in-office work following a state executive order requiring state employees to resume in-person work; exceptions and policy details were left to staff and committees.
Oklahoma County commissioners voted to require most BOCC department employees to resume in-office work effective Feb. 1, 2025, following discussion of a recently issued state executive order that ends remote status for state employees.
The action followed staff discussion and a motion that passed unanimously. Commissioners said the order applies to state employees but placed a similar return timetable on county personnel, with the caveat that individual exceptions could be considered.
The item came after a county staff presentation about the executive order, and commissioners discussed how it interacts with county policy. A commissioner representing District 1 said the district has previously discussed returning employees to the office and favored getting county staff back while allowing limited exceptions. Commissioners suggested either the Handbook Committee or Policy and Governance committee review specific exceptions and implementation details. One commissioner noted space and other logistical issues would need to be “ironed out” by staff before the effective date.
No formal exceptions were approved at the meeting; commissioners instructed staff to prepare for the Feb. 1 effective date and for committees to examine exceptions and any necessary handbook changes. The motion passed with all present voting in favor.
County officials did not provide a detailed list of the exceptions that will be permitted, nor a final implementation plan at the meeting. Commissioners said that because the executive order originates with the state, the county’s authority applies specifically to BOCC department employees and that any benefit comparisons with state employees would need legal and HR review.
The order’s adoption at the county level follows the governor’s directive for state employees; county leaders directed staff to develop operational details and bring clarifications back to the appropriate committee.
Implementation and any staff handbook changes will be addressed in upcoming committee work; no timeline for committee recommendations was provided at the meeting.
