Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB39

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/17/25
• Refer: 2/17/25
• Report Pass: 4/15/25
• Refer: 4/15/25

Caption

Requiring state employees to perform their work at the offices of their employer.

Impact

By instituting this requirement, AB39 is expected to significantly alter the operational landscape of state agencies in Wisconsin. The bill specifically excludes duties associated with telehealth services and jobs that were traditionally conducted off-site before March 1, 2020. This nuanced exemption allows for the continuation of remote work practices in certain job functions while reinforcing the importance of in-person attendance for other roles. The enactment of this bill will shift how state agencies manage their employee workflow and oversight, particularly in fostering a collective work environment.

Summary

Assembly Bill 39 aims to mandate that state employees fulfill their work responsibilities at the offices of their respective state agencies during their scheduled work hours, effective July 1, 2025. This initiative is a response to the increasing prevalence of remote work arrangements that have emerged and become more commonplace since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this bill, essential positions within state agencies would require employees to report to their physical offices, ensuring accountability and collaborative efficiency among teams within the state workforce.

Contention

While supporters believe this legislation will improve the level of service and coordination among state employees, opponents may raise concerns about the rigidity of such mandates particularly in the context of work-life balance and employee flexibility. Critics of the bill may argue that the requirement to return to in-person work could limit the ability of some employees to maintain productivity or could conflict with modern workforce expectations. Moreover, given the success of remote work strategies implemented during the pandemic, there may be discussions on whether such a law truly serves the best interests of both state employees and the communities they serve.