Proposal would force Michigan state workers to return to office full-time

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – State staff who’re nonetheless working from dwelling are anticipated to return to downtown Lansing on Could 2, many on a part-time foundation.

April 20, 2022: Michigan reviews 10,474 new coronavirus instances, 78 deaths over previous 7 days

However there’s a proposal within the legislature that might require them to be in-person full-time. It’s a proposal backed by Home Republicans. The requirement could be tied to every division’s funds.

It might ban departments of state authorities from permitting individuals to work at home except they already had been earlier than the pandemic began, and require them to return to work by October 1, the start of the fiscal 12 months.

Republicans argue this could assist enhance customer support throughout state authorities. Democrats mentioned it isn’t the Legislature’s place to mandate the place individuals work.

“To me, it looks as if there’s no accountability for the employees working from dwelling,” mentioned Rep. Sarah Lightner, (R) Springport.

“The employer shouldn’t be the legislature. The employer is the workplace of the state employer and the civil service fee. So the concept we will do that in a statute is ridiculous,” mentioned Sen. Curtis Hertel, (D) East Lansing.

The proposal comes because the state is chopping accessible workplace area in downtown Lansing. The state ended leases for seven buildings in Lansing in the course of the pandemic as a part of a long-term plan to work out of state-owned buildings.

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