A new bill making its way through the Statehouse could make most Idaho state employees return to the office.
A week ago, in the Senate State Affairs Committee meeting, Senator Jim Guthrie, R-McCammon, presented Senate Bill 1261.
This bill would require state agencies, departments, and offices to allow a maximum of 15% of its staff to work remotely on any given day.
State employees who want to be considered for telework must enter into an agreement with their employer.
The agreement would be reviewed at least once a year. It would require approval of a worker’s remote work location specified by their address.
According to the legislation, public locations would not qualify as telework locations.
If the agreement is breached by an employee, then they would lose their opportunity to telework for three years.
The only ones exempt from this policy will be field employees or those whose daily responsibilities are conducted outside of an office.
Field employees include but are not limited to employees with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, wardens, Idaho Department Health and Welfare social workers, and attorneys working with clients.
“Bill 1261 recognizes the practical application for some telework, putting in reasonable parameters,” according to Senator Guthrie.
He said it: “provides some flexibility in the workplace, and also continues to deliver a high level of service to our constituents and taxpayers.”
