Urging State Departments And Agencies To Enable Employees To Telework To The Greatest Extent Possible.
By promoting telework, HCR76 aims to enhance the state's competitiveness in attracting and retaining talent, especially among younger employees who prioritize workplace flexibility. The resolution points out that enabling telework can improve government operations during emergencies, reduce costs associated with employee turnover and absenteeism, and alleviate traffic congestion. It also addresses the positive effects on public infrastructure and staff morale by allowing employees to better manage their personal and professional lives.
House Concurrent Resolution 76 (HCR76) urges state departments and agencies in Hawaii to facilitate telework for employees as much as possible. The resolution highlights how telework can serve as a flexible work arrangement, allowing employees to perform their duties from locations other than their usual worksite, including their homes. This initiative reflects the changes prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated a sudden transition to telework for many organizations. It emphasizes the growth of telework as an integral component of modern workplace culture.
The resolution requests that each state agency compile lists of positions suitable for telework and report on their actions taken to facilitate telework arrangements. These lists must be submitted to the Legislature before the convening of the Regular Session in 2025, thereby ensuring accountability and progress towards wider implementation of telework policies.
While HCR76 is framed as a beneficial policy for flexible working conditions, it asks state agencies to implement policies that monitor productivity effectively. There may be challenges regarding tracking employee performance remotely and potential pushback regarding the expectation to return to the office if performance metrics are unmet. Additionally, some may argue that not all jobs can be adapted to telework, raising concerns about fairness in the implementation of these policies across various departments.