Commissioners adopt return-to-office memo with exception process for long-term remote work

Klamath County commissioners on Jan. 28 approved a return-to-office memo that directs county employees to work on-site by default but allows department heads to request exceptions for permanent remote arrangements.

The memorandum, prepared by human resources staff, formalizes a countywide expectation of on-site work while preserving supervisor discretion for temporary remote work such as childcare or short-term needs. During the meeting a participant summarized the memo's approach: "it does not limit employees from remotely working on occasion, for some reasons, with supervisor approval." That remark reflected several comments from commissioners that supervisors should retain latitude for short-term accommodations.

Board members discussed whether the policy would remove discretion from supervisors and whether specialized positions might require longer-term remote arrangements. Andrea from Human Resources said the draft memo provides an exception process so department heads can request formal, permanent remote work arrangements when necessary.

Motion and vote: The board moved and seconded approval of the memo and voted in favor by recorded "aye" votes; the board then directed staff to distribute the memo via county staff rather than HR alone.

What happens next: Human Resources will finalize the memo and staff will distribute it to departments as directed. Commissioners said the exception process will bring cases to the board only when a permanent flexible arrangement is requested; short-term, supervisor-approved remote work would remain allowable without board action.

Sources and evidence: The board discussed the memo starting with a staff presentation and approved the measure by vote during the Jan. 28 administrative meeting transcript.