06-23-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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STAFF REPORT TO: Mayor Keis and Members of the City Council FROM: Heidi Heller, City Clerk/HR Manager DATE: June 23, 2021 RE: Employee WorkFlex Policy ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED: Consider addition of a new WorkFlex Policy into the Employee Personnel Policy. BACKGROUND: The pandemic quickly forced many employees to begin working from home, and as a result, has changed the workforce and attitudes about how, when and where individuals work. All Little Canada employees worked from home at some point during the pandemic, but this was not a long-term option for many positions, and modifications were made to bring some employees back in (such as Public Works staff). All of the employees that work out City Hall were able to work from home for a longer period of time, especially during the times when City Hall was closed to the public. Staff adapted to Zoom meetings and kept in contact with each other while not working in the office, and things continued to operate very well. No complaints were received from the public over the last 15 months about not being able to complete city business. City Hall has been open permanently since March 1, 2021 and all employees are back in the office, at least part-time. Since the number of city staff is fairly small in Little Canada, it is important that staff be in the office at least most of the time in order to provide coverage while the building is open, and to be accessible to customers who stop in to talk to staff. Since things have gone well with some staff continuing to work some at home, and in order to offer further flexibility to staff which is becoming a workplace expectation, a WorkFlex Policy has been drafted that would be added in to the Personnel Policy. This policy will officially allow the flexibility that many employees have appreciated over the past year, while putting expectations and boundaries in to place. It is expected that some employees would opt to continue remote working, and the proposed policy puts a limit of 24 hours of remote work per pay period on this option. This policy acknowledges that it is not feasible for some positions to work from home, such as public works or customer service staff, but there are other options for flexibility, such as in the hours worked that may be considered. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the Council discuss the proposed WorkFlex Policy, and consider adoption of the policy to add into the Little Canada Personnel Policy.