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County senior‑services employee urges commissioners to keep telework policy with oversight
Summary
A Division of Senior Services employee told commissioners the telework policy should be continued or modified to allow department managers to tailor arrangements, and recommended limits and accountability tools to preserve productivity and service delivery.
Caitlin Hammerly, a Division of Senior Services employee from Stillwater, used the public comment period on Feb. 26 to urge Sussex County commissioners to retain or revise the county telework policy rather than rescind it.
Hammerly said she has worked for the division for nearly 10 years “before COVID, during COVID, after COVID,” and argued the telework policy “significantly enhanced productivity, increased employee engagement, and improved our ability to serve our seniors in the community.” She described instances when telework allowed staff to meet grant deadlines and maintain services while managing family illness.
Hammerly recommended that the board consider limiting the number of telework days per week and require a management tool so supervisors can monitor remote work and ensure accountability. She also urged the board to give department administrators discretion to set telework arrangements based on team needs.
No commissioner action followed the comment during the meeting; the telework policy was listed on the agenda for executive‑session discussion but that session was later tabled because counsel was not present, according to the board.
