Requires State employees work in person if job requires face-to-face interaction with public; requires State agency provide alternatives if closure is unpreventable.
The bill necessitates the heads of state agencies to develop a comprehensive reopening plan that should be published within 15 business days following enactment. This plan must outline various safety protocols, including the provision of personal protective equipment, enhanced cleaning procedures, and strategies to ensure social distancing within agency offices. Furthermore, agencies must specify how they plan to protect those employees who may need to work externally in the community, as well as stipulations for public interactions at state agency office buildings.
Assembly Bill A3054 seeks to mandate that state employees be required to return to in-person work if their job duties necessitate face-to-face interaction with the public. This requirement is positioned within the context of the ongoing public health emergency declared by the Governor on March 9, 2020, under Executive Order No. 103, and will remain in effect until the expiration of this declaration. Specifically, employees mandated to work in person would begin doing so on the 30th business day after the legislation is enacted.
While the bill is geared towards restoring traditional work practices amidst a health crisis, there are potential points of contention surrounding its implications for employee safety and agency management practices. Critics may argue that mandating in-person work could expose employees, particularly those at high risk for COVID-19, to undue health risks, especially if adequate safety measures are not implemented. This balance between operational needs and employee safety will likely be a significant discussion point among stakeholders as the legislation progresses.