Discussion:
Much like the Great Recession, the impacts of COVID-19 have required businesses and municipal government to change the way we do business. The impacts of COVID are wide-ranging, and have required city staff to rethink how we best deliver our services to the public. In the past, there were few proponents who would suggest that working from an area other than City Hall or our designated office space would be compatible with local government service delivery. As a city administrator, I have never been in favor of any remote work policies.
That has changed.
In today's world it is clear that remote work can be a viable, flexible work option in certain situations and certain employees. Clearly in any such arrangement, it is necessary for managers to be involved in the activities of anyone conducting remote work, and it may require more oversight than would normally occur. It also requires an understanding of the requirements of such an agreement between all involved - employees, managers and leadership - including goals, equipment, security and safety.
The City of Shakopee has had several periods of mandated remote work since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic, including the current "work from home if you can" order that went into effect several weeks ago. We have learned that not only do such arrangements allow for productive time, in some cases productivity has actually increased.
This policy will cover not only the current situation, but in some cases may be extended or applied in the future depending upon case by case analysis and administration approval.